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W
CLAIR COUNTY
MICHIGAN
ITS HISTORY AND ITS PEOPLE
A Narrative Account of its Historical Progress
and its Principal Interests
BY
WILLIAM LEE JENKS
VOLUME I
ILLUSTRATED
PUBLISHERS :
THE LEWIS PUBLISHING COMPANY
CHICAGO AND NEW YORK
1912
THIS 18 TMC PROPERTY Of
CHiiens Hiitorical Associdtion
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE ETLDQ.
- -^ ".*«.■«-
IL
o
PREFACE
The preparation of this work has proved a pleasant and interesting
"j^ task, but more difficult in some respects than was anticipated. I realized
^ the among the most valuable qualities of such a work, were accuracy and
r reliability, and have spared no pains to obtain them, by going to original
sources in every case where that was possible, and consulting all official
^/ records and papers accessable. Unfortunately, such records in this
county are lamentably deficient in the earlier and even later days.
County, city, village and township records are often entirely lacking for
r^ periods of years. Public authorities have generally failed to realize the
j^ importance of preserving evidence of official action, and it is only in
^^ recent years, when interest has come with relation to the pioneer times
^ and early settlement, that the importance of these early records has been
appreciated. As illustrations, the proceedings of the Board of Educa-
tion of Port Huron, prior to 1875 cannot be found, and a few years ago
a thrifty county clerk sold for waste paper a considerable amount of the
oldest files and records of the county. Fortunately before they were
destroyed, most of them were recovered, but large gaps must now exist
forever covering that period.
In addition to the official records, the papers and documents of the
^^ St. Clair County Pioneer Society have been consulted, and many of the
^ older citizens still living called upon, and endeavor has been made to
(n. check from official data all recollections.
I am under obligations to a large number of friends who have been
) helpful in suggestion and information, and I owe especial thanks to Mr.
C. M. Burton of Detroit, who has generously thrown open for use his
splendid library of books and manuscripts relating to early Michigan ; to
Senator Thomas W. Palmer of Detroit, for gifts of books and papers and
access to others of his father relating to the early history of St. Clair ;
to Miss Anna Brakeman, who has a remarkably well stored and retentive
memory regarding many of the old families of the county ; to ]\Ir. W. R.
Chadwick of Port Huron, for most valuable aid in relation to marine
matters; to Mrs. Lucy Vance of St. Clair for her recollections of early
days in that locality.
It is too much to hope that a work of this kind can escape errors in
names and dates, although extreme care has been used in all cases to
obtain accuracy in them. Many interesting subjects relating to the early
history of the county have been left untouched, but I trust that the work
in its present condition will be found a valuable addition to the history
of this portion of Michigan.
W. Jj. JENKS.
iii
CONTENTS
CHAPTER I
INTRODUCTORY
French Control op Great Lakes Region — English-Iroquois Alli-
ance — England Supplants France — American Government Es-
tablished — Territory of Michigan Created — Indian Titles Ex-
tinguished — Natural Riches Finally Recognized — Michigan
Becomes a State — Progress Under Statehood. 1
CHAPTER II
EARLY MAPS AND DESCRIPTIONS
The Gallinee Map — La Salle-Hennepin Voyage and Narrative —
Lahontan and Cadillac — Geographer to the United States of
America — DeLisle, Popple and Others — First American Geog-
raphy — Emigrant's Directory — Schoolcraft on the St. Clair
Region. 9
CHAPTER III
BOUNDARIES AND NAME
Limits op Original County — International Boundary Complications
— St. Clair County Reduced — Origin of Name. 16
CHAPTER IV
COUNTY GEOGRAPHY AND GEOLOGY
Streams and Drainage — Glacial and Geological Action — Knowl-
edge Derived from Drillings — St. Clair Flats and River — Im-
provements of River Channels. 25
vi CONTENTS
CHAPTER V
FLORA OF THE COUNTY
Before the Pale Face Came — The Aggressive, Disturbing White
Man — Primitive Landscape View — Natural Growth Swept
Away — Favorable Conditions for Plant Life — Alleghanian
Faunal Area — Special Plant Species — Planting of Native Trees
— Proposed Public Reservation. 30
CHAPTER VI
OUR FIRST FA^IILIES— THE INDIANS
The Algonquin Family — The Iroquois and Hurons — The "Neu-
trals'' Destroyed — Indians of the St. Clair Region — Indian
Reservations and Leaders — jMound Builders and IMounds. 42
CHAPTER VII
SOURCES OF LAND TITLES
The Iroquois Title — Quebec — Colonial Claims — Indian Treaties Af-
fecting the County — Reports of Indian xVgent Jouett and Judge
Woodward — Congressional Regulation of Titles — Land Claims
in the County — Lands in St. Clair River and Lake — Survey into
Townships — Public and School Lands — Railroad Lands — Indian
Reservation Lands — Swamp Lands — St. Clair Flats. 59
CHAPTER VIII
ST. CLAIR COUNTY UNDER THREE FLAGS
French Fortified Post Under Duluth — Fort St. Joseph — Fort
Abandoned by Lahontan — Sketch of Duluth — The English
Fort Sinclair — Patrick Sinclair — The American Fort Gratiot
— Charles Gratiot — Temporarily Abandoned — Successive Com-
mandants — Cholera at the Fort — Finally Abandoned (1879). 87
CHAPTER IX
EARLY GOVERNMENT OF THE COUNTY
First County Commissioners — First Commissioners' Meeting — Jail
Built — Three Road Districts Created — Samuel Ward — Judge
George A. O'Keefe — Judge Z. W. Bunce — Extravagant Commis-
CONTENTS vii
SIGNERS IMlSCELLANEOUS CoUNTY LeGLSLATION (1824-1827) BOARD
OF Supervisors Created — Sinclair Becomes St. Clair — Status of
CouNTr Buildings (1827-8) — Plainfield Township Changed to
Clay — First Bridges Built — Ralph Wadiiams — Six Supervisors
in 1836 — Pine River Bridge at St. Clair — Belle River Bridge at
Newport — Court House Improvements. 106
CHAPTER X
IN THE EARLY DAYS
The House and House Raising — The Simple, Hospitable Life — St.
• Clair County in 1820 — Assessment Roll for 1821 — St. Clair in
1821-1830— Early Port Huron— From 1830 to 1835— Early
Marine City. 128
CHAPTER XI
REMINISCENCES OF THREE PIONEERS
Indians Appear with Scalps— Threaten to Kill Family — How a
Woman Traveled — Nancy Brown Becomes ]\Irs. Brakeman —
Cholera at Fort Gratiot — Port Huron in 1836 — Churches and
Schools — Indian Medicine Dance and Feast — St. Clair in 1830 —
Lucy Cox Marries Mr. Vance — Capt. Andrew Westbrook — The
St. Clair Region in 1815 — The Cottrells — John K. Smith — Dr.
Harmon Chamberlain — Judge Bunce and Capt. Ains worth —
Jacob Peer — Jacob Kendall — The Harsens — The Wards — Law-
yer O'Keefe — The Old County Seat — Pioneer Steamboats —
Incidents of War of 1812 — First Visiting Minister — Briton vs.
Yankee — Another Indian Story — The Harsens Again. 1-48
CHAPTER XII
MILITARY
Territorial Militia — Threatened Indian Outbreak — Port Huron
Guards (State Organization) — Mexican War Troops — The Civil
War — Port Huron Guards Revived — Spanish-American War —
Michigan National Guard — Company F (Old Port Huron Guards)
179
CHAPTER XIII
COURTS AND BAR
Supreme and County Courts — Justices and PROBi\.TE Courts — Judge
James Fulton — First Acting Sheriff — Major John Thorn —
viii CONTENTS
Circuit Courts Created— County Court Re-established — First
Session op Circuit Court — County Court Abolished — First Cir-
cuit Court Case — Admitted to the Bar — Last Territorial Court
— First State Circuit Court — County Courts Again Established
AND Abolished — Judges Copeland and Green — Other Judges —
Probate Courts— The Bar of St. Clair County. 188
CHAPTER XIV
LOCATION AND REMOVAL OF COUNTY SEAT
James Fulton Gets St. Clair Accepted — County of St. Clair Organ-
ized — Proposed Removal from St. Clair Town — Fulton Defaults
ON Erection op County Buildings — Port Huron a County Seat
Candidate — Removal Indorsed by Supervisors and People — St.
Clair Sustained by Supreme Court — "Smith's Creek" Selected —
Supervisors and People Again Decide for Port Huron — St. Clmr
Again Appeals to the Courts — Supreme Court Sustains Port
Huron — Official Accommodations. 209
CHAPTER XV
TOWNSHIP ORGANIZATION
Three Road Districts Erected Into Townships — Sinclair and Des-
mond Townships — Berlin Township — Brockway — Burtchville —
Casco — China — Clay — Clyde — Columbus — Cottrellville — East
China — Emmet — Fort Gratiot — Grant — Greenwood — Ira —
Kenockee — Kimball — Lynn — Mussey — Port Huron — Riley — St.
Clair— Wales. 226
CHAPTER XVI
CITIES AND VILLAGES
Town of St. Clair — Municipal Corporations and Plats — City op
Port Huron — St. Clair — ^Marine City — Yale — Fort Gratiot —
Algonac — Cap AC — Memphis — New Baltimore. 251
CHAPTER XVII
EDUCATIONAL HISTORY
Pioneers' Passion for Education — General Development of County
System — Early Teachers and School Houses — Port Huron
Schools — Schools Consolidated — Public Education at St. Clair
— The Thompson Academy — Somerville School — Libraries — Port
Huron Public Library. 269
CONTENTS ix
CHAPTER XVIII
THE PRESS OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY
First Territorial Paper — Michigan's Earliest Newspapers — The "St.
Clair "Whig" — "Lake Huron (Port Huron) Observer" — "St.
Clair Banner" and Its Successors — "Port Huron Commercial"
— "St. Clair Republican "—" St. Clair County Press" — "Port
Huron Press" — "Port Huron Times" — Short-Lived Port Huron
Papers — Marine City Papers — Capac Newspapers — Brockway
Centre and Yale — Memphis Journalism — Algonac Newspapers —
"Fort Gratiot Sun" — The "Postmaster Everywhere" and Its
Publisher — "Sunday Herald" — German Journalism in Port
Huron — Fraternal Society Journals — Monthly Publications —
Hiel B. Buckeridge's Papers — "Port Huron Daily Herald" —
"Port Huron Times- Herald " — Periodicai^s of 1911. 280
CHAPTER XIX
THE COUNTY CELEBRITIES
Thomas A. Edison — Omar D. Conger, United States Senator — The
Ward Family — Metta Victoria and Frances Auretta Fuller —
Thompson Jay Hudson — Stanley Waterloo — Jeremiah Whipple
Jenks — Other Celebrities. 800
CHAPTER XX
RELIGIOUS HISTORY
First Two Church Buildings — How the M. E. Church Was Built
— A Union Church — Port Huron Presbyterian Church — Pro-
testant Episcopal Church — First Baptist Church — Methodists
IN the County — Baptist Church of St. Clair — Episcopal Church
— St. Clair M. E. Church — Universalist Church — Marine City
Churches — The Catholic Church in the County. 312
CHAPTER XXI
THE MEDICAL PROFESSION
Michigan Medical Society — Medical Society of St. Clair County —
Northeastern District Medical Society — St. Clair, Sanilac
and Lapeer Medical Society — Michigan State Medical Society
— Port Huron Academy of Medicine — St. Clair County ]\Iedical
Society — Medical Men of the Early Days (1820-1860) — Drs.
Harmon Chamberlain, Amasa Hemenger, John S. Heath, Nor-
CONTENTS
MAN Nash, John B. Chamberlain, Alonzo E. Noble, Alfred E.
Fechet, Leonard B. Parker, John T. Travers, Charles M. Zeh,
Cyrus M. Stockwell, Daniel H. Cole, George L. Cornell, George
B. WiLLSON, Frederick Finster and Others. 332
CHAPTER XXII
TPIE FRATERNAL SOCIETIES
Early History — First Fraternities in the United States — Frater-
nal Beneficiary Societies — Effect on Civil Life and Economics —
Development Toward S.vfety — First Orders in St. Clair County
— First Fraternal Beneficiary Society — Birthplace of the Mac-
CABEE Orders — Later History op Fraternal Benefit Societies. 350
CHAPTER XXIII
NATURAL RESOURCES
White Pine and Early French Saw jNIills — Other Pioneer Mills —
The Howard and Sanborn ]\Iills — The Browning jNIill — First
Steam Saw ]\Iill — Wesley Truesdail — A Second Steam Saw Mill
Hardwood Timber ]Mills — Salt and Its I\Ianufacture — Fishing
Industries. 362
CHAPTER XXIV
AGRICULTURE AND LIVE STOCK
Change from Timber to Farming Lands — Great Hay Country — Beans,
Sugar Beets and Alfalfa — Farmers' Clubs — The Farmers' In-
stitute — Progressive Farmers — Live Stock. 379
CHAPTER XXV
TRANSPORTATION
Early Road Supervisors — First Highways in County — New Road
System (1827) — The Military Road — State Roads — Toll Roads —
Railroads — William L. Bancroft — St. Clair Tunnel — Pere Mar-
quette Railway — Port Huron Southern — Rapid Railway — Paper
Railroads — City Street Car Lines — River Boat Lines — Ferries.
382
CONTENTS xi
CEIAPTER XXVI
SHIPPING
Indian and French Craft — English and American Vessels — Ship
Building in St. Clair County — Passenger Traffic and Freight
Business — Boats Built in Marine City, Port Huron, St. Clair,
Algonac, Marysville, Lakeport, Fair Haven, Fort Gratiot,
Burtchville, China, Cottrellville, Herson's Isle and Clay, and
on St. Clair River and Swan Creek. 402
CHAPTER XXVII
NATIONAL INTERESTS
Protection of Lake Commerce— Early' Light House Keepers — New
Light House — Present Structure — Keepers for Seventy Years —
Post Offices — Custom House — Life Saving Station — Govern-
ment Canals — Government Building — Business of District. 4i7
CHAPTER XXVIII
BANKS AND BANKING
Bank of St. Clair, Palmer — First National Exchange Bank — Port
Huron Savings Bank— Commercial Bank — St. Clair County Sav-
ings Bank — German American Savings Bank — Commercial anp
Savings Bank — Marine City Banks — Banks of Yale — Capao —
Memphis — Emmet — Avoca — The Figures for Forty Years. 426
CHAPTER XXIX
OFFICIAL AND STATISTICAL
Roster of Sheriffs — County Clerks — County Surveyors — Prose-
cuting Attorneys — Registers of Deeds — Circuit Court Commis-
sioners — Coroners — State Legislators — Congressmen — Popula-
tion OF County. 435
Appendix A ' 443
Appendix B 483
INDEX
Abbottsford. 115, 236.
Abernethy, James, 804.
Abrabam. Cbristian, 542.
Aeheson, Edward G. Jr., 762.
Adair, 231.
Adams, Frederick C. 541.
Addison, William D., 783.
"Agnes," 399.
Agriculture and live stock — ■Change
from timber to farming lands, 379 ;
Great hay country, 380 ; beans, sugar
beets and alfalfa, 380 ; farraer.s' clubs,
380 ; the Farmers' Institute, 380 ; pro-
gressive farmers, 380 ; live stock, 381.
Ainsworth, Henry, 165.
Air Line Company of Michigan, 395.
Alexander, Abigail, 275.
Alfalfa, 380.
Algonac, 109, 146, 164, 234, 421.
Algonac and Point du Chene Company,
265.
"Algonac Courier," 298.
"Algonac Eastern Breeze," 292.
"Algonac Times-Courier," 292.
Algonac village, 264.
Algonquian family, 42.
Allen. John B., 673.
Allenton, 229.
Alvord, Benjamin, 102, 104.
Amerind, 42.
Ames, Calvin, 257.
Anchor Bay, 28.
Anchorville, 243.
Ancient Order of United Workmen, 352.
Anderson, James W., 101.
Anderson, Robert P., 543.
Andreae, Edward, 261, 520.
Andreae. Rudolph, 768.
Andreae, William V., 261, 772.
Andreae, AV. V. and Company, 433.
Andrews, Floyd C, 268.
Animlkans (Nimekance), 48.
Appendix, A 443.
Appendix B, 483.
Ardiel, Lancelot M., 525.
"Argo." 171, 398.
Ash. Charles W., 791.
Ashley, Alfred, 267.
Ashley, A. F., 256.
Ashley, George B., 685.
Ashpole, George A., 289.
Atkins, Allen B., 870.
Atkins, Lewis, 676.
Atkinson, John, 284.
Atkinson, O'Brien J., 200, 264, 278, 538.
Aulls, James T., 275.
Avery, Alexander, 357.
Avery, Jo.seph W., 202.
Avery, Lincoln, 518.
Avery, Newell, 257.
Avoca, 243.
Ayrault, Nicholas, 262, 318, 400.
Baby, Duperon, 71, 95.
Baby, James, 76.
Bacon, Henry M., 273.
Badln, Rev. S. T., 154, 327, 328.
Baggerly, H. C, 273.
Baird, John D., 662.
Baird, Henry R.. 688.
Baird, Robert B., 261, 746.
Baird, William. 318.
Baker, Frank, 760.
Baker, H. H., 755.
Baker, Joseph. 735.
Baker, Julius, 857.
Baker, Rowland G., 755.
Baker, S., & Son, 749.
Baldoon, 109.
Baldwin, Martin L., 698.
Ballentine. Mrs. Caroline L., 276.
Ballentine, Fred C, 659.
Ballentine, Silas L., 588.
Bancroft, William L., 257, 283, 284.
Bancroft, W. L., 428.
Banks and banking — Bank of St. Clair,
Palmer, 426; First National Ex-
change Bank. 428 ; Johnson & Com-
pany, 429 ; I'ort Huron Savings bank,
429; Commercial bank, 429; St. Clair
County Savings bank. 4.30; German
American Savings bank. 430 ; Commer-
cial and Savings Bank. St. Clair, 431;
Marine City banks. 431 ; Banks of
Yale. 4.32: Capac. 433; Menii>hls, 433;
Emmet, 433; Avoca, 4;>;! ; the figures
for forty years, 433 ; Bank of St.
Clair, 426.
xm
XIV
INDEX
Baraga, Frederick, 328.
Barber, Levi, 138.
Bar of St. Clair County, 202.
Barnum, Hartson G., 824.
Baron de Laliontan, 11.
Barron, Sarali. 274.
Barron, Williaui B., 259.
Bartlett, Eugene A., 267, 618.
Bassett, John F., 1.38.
Batclielor, Jacob F., 366, 369.
Bates, Fredericlv, 5.
Bay City, Caro & Port Huron Railroad
Company, 396.
Bay City «& Port Huron Railroad Com-
pany, 396.
Beans, 380.
Beard, Ai, 365.
Beard, David, 874.
Beard, Frank E., 534.
Beard, Fred A., 893.
Beardsley, Everett, 120, 138.
Beaubien, .lean Marie, 70, 74, 75, 180.
Beauvin. Alexander, 76.
Beaver trade, 87.
Bejivis. James E., 261.
Beazell, James H., 274.
Beebe, John L., 366.
"Bee Hive."' 294, 298.
Belknap, Julius, 259.
Bell, John J., 2.j7. 816.
Bell. Theodore F. L.. 881.
Bell, William. 343.
Belle Cbasse, 14.
Belle river. 13. 2.-5. 229, 233, 247, 422.
Bellows, C. F., 273.
Bennett. Albert D., 492.
Bennett. Lewis T.. 765.
Berlin Township, 228.
Berville, 229.
Berry. David C. 264.
"Big Swamp," 2.38.
Bigsby, Bernard. 273.
Bissell, Benjamin B.. 286.
Bissell. B. B.. 283.
Black, Clair R., 865.
Black. Edmund S.. 7.33.
Black. John L., 202. 602.
Blackhawk War, 100.
Blackney. Elmer T., 567.
Black river, 25, 47.
Black River Steam Mill. 143.
Black River Steam Mill Companj, 255.
368.
Blagborn, Fletcher. 261.
Blodgett, Lavallette. 275.
Blood, Fred, H., 2.59.
Board of Commissioners, 70.
Boardman, George. 270.
Bonhomme, Francois. 97, 180.
Bonhomme. Pierre, 77, 96, 140.
Bonner, Hugh, 805.
Bottomley, Thomas H., 266.
Boughton, Peter, 318.
Boulvin, or Boilvin, Nicholas, 94.
Boundaries, 16.
Bower, Andrew, 261.
Bower, Ennna E., 669.
Bower, William A. J., 902.
Bowes, William R.. 82.
Boyce, J. J. & Co., 430.
Boyce, Samuel L.. 257.
Boynton. Charles L., 608.
Boynton, Nathan S., 257. 260, 287.
Boynton, N. S., 357, 359.
Brady. Hugh. 156.
P.rady Guards, 427.
Br.ikenian. Mr., 151, 156.
I'.rakeman, Nancy. 148.
Bralceman. Peter F., 271.
Brandimore. Pierre, 76.
Brenner. Henry, 707.
Bricker, Wesley C, 513.
Brindamour, Pierre, 130, 140.
British vessels. 403.
Brock way. 230.
Brockway Center, 423.
Brockwav township, 2.30.
Brokaw, E. V. W., 275.
Brooks. George, .'it!'.).
Brooks, and St. Clair, 373.
Brown. CMptain, 153.
Brown, Alden, 860.
Brown. Elmer G., 572.
Brown, James. 261.
Brown, Jefferson G., 545.
Brown, S. B., 184.
Brown. William. 97, 148, 173, 180.
Brown's Hotel, or City Hotel, St. Clair,
(view), 2.58.
Browning, Francis P., 271.
Bruin, John, 604.
Brule, 2.
Brush, Brock E., 610.
Buckeridge, Hile B., 295.
Buel, Grover N., 1^.
Buffington, Henry C, 287.
Bunce, 165.
Buuce, Joseph, P., 193.
Bunce, Zephaniah W. (portrait), 114.
Bunce, Z. W., 113, 150, 182, 188, 189,
201, 212, .372, 422.
Burbank. Sullivan, 99.
Burbank. William, 212.
Burch, Henry W., 868.
Burch, Ulysses G., 677.
Burk, Hiram, 267.
Burnham, Jock, 157.
Burnham, Jonathan, 1.39.
Burns, Frances E., 669.
Burt, Frank, 514.
Burtch, Jonathan, 142, 230, 231, 255,
373
Burtchville township, 2.30.
Burtless, William E., 740.
Burtis. John. 398.
Bush, H. T., 273.
Butler, Charles, 255, 262.
Butler, William H., 266.
Butterfield, Durrell J., 745.
Buyse, Theopholis, 329.
INDEX
XV
Cadillac, 11, 4G.
Cady, Burt D., 531.
Cady, Daniel B., 197, 203.
Cady, Loring E., 705.
Cady, Mehitable E., 532.
Cameron, Malcom, 401.
Campbell, Elton J., 886.
Campbell, Reuben S., 270.
Campbell. William. 274.
Campbell. W. J.. 318.
Camptield, J. W., 143.
Canada, Michigan & Chicago Railway
Company, 395.
Canan, John, 138, 259.
Canfield, Arthur L.. 200.
Cantine, Peter, 207.
Capac, 245, 423.
"Capac Argus," 291.
"Capac Journal," 291.
Capac & Northern Railway Company,
396.
Capac Savings Bank, 433.
Capac Village, 265.
Carleton, Chester, 274.
Carleton, Edmond, 124.
Carleton, Ezra C. 257.
Carleton, George W., 259.
Carleton, Palmer S., 593.
Carleton, Roscoe C, 711.
Carlson, John, 268.
Carman, George W., 776.
Carpenter, Newton .S., 184.
Oartier, 1.
Casco township, 231.
Casey. Silas, 104.
Cass, Gov., 99, 151.
Cass Guards, 184.
Cass, Lewis, 15, 16, 22.
Caswell, Henry A., 184.
Catholic Point, 145.
Catlin, W. C, 273, 275.
Cavanagh, William A., 566.
Chalmers, Thos., 318.
Chamberlain, Dr.. 138.
Chamberlain, H., 333.
Chamberlain. Ilnrmon, 118, 151, :165,
215, 259, 337.
Chamberlain, John B., 339.
Champlain, 1, 2, 3.
Chapman, Albert J., 275.
Chase, Orville A., 644.
Chase, Ralph P., 526.
Chester, J. L., 570.
Cholera at Fort Gratiot, 152.
Cholera Epidemic, 100.
Chicago Detroit & Canada Grand Trunk
Junction Railway Company, 392.
Chicago & Lake IIurt)n Railway Co., 395.
Chicago & Xorth-Eastern Railway Com-
pany, 391.
Chicago, Saginaw & Canada Railroad
Cdiupany. 392, 395.
China township. 2.32.
Chipnian, Henry, 202.
Cliippewas, 46, 47.
Christie. Miles, 26(;.
Church. Frank, 267.
Churches (see religious history.)
Chute, Wallace, 788.
Circuit courts, 193, 194, 195.
Cities and villages — Town of St. Clair,
251; municipal corporations and
plats, 253 ; city of Port Huron, 253 ;
St. Clair, 2.57; .Marine City, 2.59;
Yale, 261 ; Fort Gratiot, 262; Algonac,
264; Capac, 2(15 ; Ennnet, 266; Mem-
phis, 266; New Baltimore, 267.
City Electric Railway, 395.
City Electric Railway Company, 398.
City hall and court house, Port Huron,
(view), 252.
City hall, Marine City, (view), 260.
City Railway Company, 397.
Civil War, 185.
Civil War Soldiers, 443.
Clancy, C. C, 278, 336.
Clancy. Charles C. 624.
Clark, Elihu W., 557.
Clark, Elisha B., 368.
Clark, G. C, 256.
Clark, John, 171, 399.
Clarke, John, 231, 2.32, 793.
Clarke, John C, 270.
Clarke, Thomas B., 265.
Clay township, 121. 233.
Cleary, Mary E., 791,
Clough, Ansel B., 261.
Clyde Mills, 2.35, 244.
Clyde Plank and Macadamized Road
Company, 386.
Clyde township, 235.
Cobb, Captain. 95.
Coburn, David C, 267.
Coburn, F. D.. 433.
Coddington, Stephen B., 266.
Coe, Alvin, 321.
Cogley, James, 266.
Cole, D. XL, 334.
Cole. Daniel H., .346.
Cole, Lester D., 882.
Collver, Avanel C, 769,
Coltman, W. G., 323.
Columbus township. 236.
"Couunercial Tribune," 285.
Companv F, (old Port Huron Guards),
186.
Comstock. Joseph B., 144.
Couat. Charles, 267.
Conger, Omar D., 302.
Connecticut claim, 65.
Conroy, John B., 655.
Cook. .Tames H.. 142.
Cook, William IL, 883,
Cooke, Thomas, 546,
Cooper, W. S., 36.
Copeland. James T., 259.
Copeland. Joseph T.. 198.
Cornell. George L., 259, 34G.
XVI
INDEX
Cottrell, David, 162.
Cottrell, George, 107, 162, 180.
Cottrell, George, Sr., 108, 180.
Cottrell. Henrietta D., 738.
Cottrell, Henry. 113, 162.
Cottrell, John, 113.
Cottrellville, 111.
Cotti-ellville township, 237.
Ooudeu, H. X., 325.
County buildings, 18, 27, 28, 119.
County celebrites — ^Thomas A. Edison,
300 ; United States Senator Conger,
302; the Ward family, 303; Emily
. Ward, 305 ; Metta Victoria and Fran-
ces Auretta Fuller, 306; Thompson
Jay Hudson, 306 ; Stanley Waterloo,
307; other celebrities, .309.
County courts. 193. V.)4. 198.
County government (early — First com-
missioners, 106 ; first commissioners'
meeting, 110; jail built, 110; three
road districts created. Ill ; Samuel
Ward, 111 ; George A. Keefe, 113 ; Z.
W. Bunce, 113 ; extravagant commis-
sioners. 116 ; miscellaneous county
legislation (1824-1827), 116; board
of supervisors created, 118; Sinclair
becomes St. Clair. 119; status of
county buildings in 1827-8, 119 ; Plain-
field township changed to Clay. 121 ;
first bridges built. 122; Ralph Watl-
hams, 123 ; six supervisors in 1836,
124; Pine river bridge at St. Clair,
125; Belle river bridge at Newport,
126 ; c-ourt house improvements, 126 ;
assessment roll for 1821, 131.
County land claims, (1811), 70.
County of Macomb, 22.
County seat contentions — James Fulton
gets St. Clair accepted, 209 ; county
of St. Clair organized, 211 ; proposed
removal from St. Clair town. 212 ;
Fulton defaults on erection of coun-
ty buildings, 213 ; Port Huron a
county seat candidate, 214 ; removal
indorsed by supervisors and people,
216 ; court house, St. Clair, 1856, 218 ;
Black river, looking west from Mili-
tary street bridge (1863), 219; St.
Clair sustained bv supreme court.
220; "Smith's Creek," selected,
220 ; supervisors and people again de-
cide for Port Huron, 222; St. Clair
again appeals to the courts, 224 ; su-
preme court sustains Port Huron,
225 ; official acconuuodations, 225.
Coureurs de bois, 88.
Courts and bar — Supreme and county
courts, 188 ; justices and probate
courts, 189; James Fulton, 190; first
acting sheriff, 191 ; John Thorn, 191 ;
circuit courts created, 193 ; county
courts, 193 ; first session of circuit
court, 194 ; county court abolished.
194 ; circuit courts, 195 ; admitted to
the bar, 195 ; last territorial court,
196; first state circuit court, 196;
county courts. 198; other judges, 200;
probate courts. 201.
Court House. 157.
Court House, (1856), St. Clair (view).
Cowan, Frank G., 674.
Cowles. Dempster T., 599.
Cox, Benjamin C, 159, 184, 202.
Cox, Lucy, 159.
Cox. (Mrs.) Ruby, 139, 157.
Cl-aig. Michael L.. 261.
Crawford, Alex, 273.
Crittenden, John J., 103, 540.
Crowell. Reuben, 347.
Crowley, Thomas, 266.
Cullinano, E. J.. 330. 759.
Cumming. David, 529.
Cummings, Alexander, 99.
Cusick, C. S., 250.
Customs district of Port Huron, 424.
Custom house and post office in Port
Huron, 425.
Cyrus Miles & Company, 428.
"Daily News", 290.
"Daily Telegraph,"' 290.
"Daily Times," 288.
Dancey. John II.. 507.
Dane, William II., 842.
Danger, Thomas M., 36.
Daniels. Dan. 373.
Danielsen. Christian, 862.
D'Anville. 14.
Darby, William, 6.
Dascom, H. N., 318.
Daughters of Pocahontas, 355.
Daughters of Rebekah, 355.
Dauucy, John C, 206.
Davidson, Wilbur F., 581.
Davidson, & Wonsey, 376.
Davis, Wellington. 257, 366.
Dean, Elinor F., 692.
Deauuul. W. E.. 5S5.
Decker, Henry S., 284.
De Gurse. Thomas E.. 729.
DeGurse, T. E., 336.
DeGryse, Henry, 841.
Derek, W. P., 336.
Deschamps, Baptiste Jean, 140.
Desmond, 116, 144, 153, 422.
Desmond township, 228, 245, 253.
Desmond village, 255.
Desnoyers, P. J., 97.
Desroyer, Jean B.. 141.
Detroit in 1701, 46.
Detroit and Milwaukee Railway Com-
pany, 82.
Detroit, Mt. Clemens . & Marine City
Railway Company, 394.
Detroit & Port Huron Railroad Com-
pany, 395.
INDEX
xvii
Detroit, Port Huron & Sarnia Railroad
Company, 39G.
Detroit »& River St. Clair Railway Com-
pany, 394.
Detroit, Romeo Port Huron Company,
395.
Detroit United Railway, 898.
Devona, F. S., 324.
Dewey, James S., 200.
Diamond Cyrstal Salt Co., 376.
Diamond Salt Block, St. Clair (view),
375.
Dickey, Benjamin, 343.
Dickinson, Asa C, 79.
Dickinson. Don M.. 79.
Dickinson's Island, 18, 28.
Dixon, Albert, G4S.
Dixon. Frederic J., 6.50.
Dodse, Charles K., 30, 822.
Dolller, 9.
Donahoe, James F., 320.
Donahue, David. 266.
Dongan, Thomas, 90.
Dours, Jacob. 260.
Downey, Alex C, 266.
Drake. E. Harvey, 551.
Drainage. 25.
Drawe, John, 261.
Drury, Horton H., 275.
DuCreux, 44.
Duff, George, 102.
Duff. William J., 628.
Du Luth, 88. 89.
Duncan, C. R.. 320.
Dunnigan, John, 266.
Dunning, Glenn R., 529.
Durantaye. De la. 88.
Dutton, J. H., 250, 267.
Dwight, Alfred A., 244.
Dysinger, Daniel F., 825.
Early maps and descriptions — The Gal-
linee map, 9; LaSalle-Hennepin voy-
age and narrative, 10; Lahontan and
Cadillac. 11 ; geographer of the United
States of America, 13 ; DeLisle, Pop-
ple and others. 13; first American
geography, 14; emigrant's directory,
14 ; Schoolcraft on the St. Clair Re-
gion, 14.
East China township, 2.3S.
East Saginaw & St. Clair Railway Com-
pany, 396.
Eastwood, Nelson, 323.
Eaton, Sherman S.. 267.
Eddy, Avery and Murphy, 368.
Edison. Peregrine M., 264.
Edison. Samuel, 102, 300, 301.
Edison. Thomas A., 102. 300.
Educational history — Pioneers' passion
for education. 269; general develop-
ment of county system, 270 ; early
teachers and school houses, 270 ; Port
Huron schools, 271 ; schools consoli-
dated, 273 ; public education at St.
Clair. 274; the Thompson academy,
275; Somerville school, 276; libraries,
277 ; Port Huron public library, 277.
Eisenhauer, John, 294. ^
Elliott, Harry S., 587,
Elm wood, 246.
"Emigrant's Guide," 6.
Emmet, 423.
Emmet township, 239.
Emmet village. 266.
Emmon.s, H. H., 203.
"Empire State," 404.
Enjelran, Father, 312.
"Erie," 399.
Estabrook, Joseph B., 275.
Eveland, William. 401.
"Evening Commercial," 285.
Evergreen Lodge No. 9, 351.
Facer, Louis, 101. 142.
Fairfield, Frank D., 870.
Fairman, Robert Bruce, 270.
Falkenbury, J. J., 283.
Fargo, 241.
Farman, C. F., 743.
Farmers' Clubs, 380.
Farmers' Institute. 380.
Farmer's Protective Society, The, 356.
Farmer's Visitor, 290.
Farrand, B. C, 231, 372.
Farrand, Elizabeth M., 334.
Farrand, Emma, 276.
Farrand, Fanny, 276.
Fay. Thomas Chittenden, 138, 158.
Fead, Edward F., 261, 512.
Fechet, Alfred E., 340.
Fee bill, 334.
Ferns, 37.
Finest of hay, 380.
Finn, A. H., 285.
Finn, Silas, 323.
Finster, Frederick, 348.
First American geography, 14.
First bridges, 122,
First homeoijathic physician, 348.
First jail in the county, 170.
First mill, 173.
First ministers in county, 173.
First state circuit court, 196.
First Congregational church, 318.
First M. E. church, 312.
First Universalist church. Port Huron,
325.
First National Bank, 428, 432.
First National Bank of St. Clair, 431.
First National Exchange Bank, 428.
First State Savings Bank of Marine
City, 432.
Fish, A. and H., 366, 369.
Fish, George, 602.
"Fisheries," 377.
Flske, Edwin D., 274.
Fitzgerald, Edmond, 257.
XVlll
INDEX
Fitzgibbon, David A.. 694.
Fleming, Alanson, 324.
Fleming, Irving S., 694.
Fletcher, George N., 371.
Fletcher, William A., 194.
Flint & Pere Marquette Railway, 394.
Flora of the c-ouuty — Before the pale
face came, 30 ; the aggressive, disturb-
ing white man, 32 ; primitive land-
scape view-, 33 ; natural growth swept
away, 84; favorable conditions for
plant life, 34; Alleganian faunal
area, 36; special plant species. 36:
planting of native trees. 39 ; proposed
public reservation. 40.
Foerste, A. F.. 36.
Forbes, William, 635.
"Forester," 294, 298.
Fort Gartiot 89. 95, 96. 99. 103. 104. 421.
Fort Gratiot Light. 420.
"Fort Gratiot Sun," 292.
Fort Gratiot township, 240.
Fort Gratiot turnpike. 385.
Fort Gratiot Village. 262.
Fort Gratiot & Lexington Railroad Com-
pany, 396.
Fort St. Joseph. 89.
"Fort St. Clair," 95.
Fort Sinclair, 92.
Foster, Ann Jane, 275.
Foster Brothers, 565.
Foster, Frederick L., 565.
Foster, Louis. 701.
Foster, William A., 565.
Francis, Gregory, 261.
Fraser, A. D., 202.
Fraser, Carroll S., 273.
Fraser, Donald A., 568.
Fraternal societies — Early history, 350 ;
first fraternities in the United States,
351 ; fraternal beneficiary societies.
352 ; effect on civil life and econom-
ics, 353 ; development toward safety,
354; first orders in St. Clair county,
355 ; fiirst fraternal beneficiary so-
ciety, 356; birthplace of the Macca-
bee orders, 357; later history of fra-
ternal benefit societies, 360.
Freeman, William H., 580.
French control of Great Lakes Region —
French control of, 1 ; English-Iroquois
alliance, 3; England supplants
France, 3 ; American government es-
tablished, 4; territory of Michigan
created, 4; Indian titles extin-
guished, 5 ; natural riches finally rec-
ognized, 5 ; Michigan becomes a state.
6 ; progress under statehood, 7.
French, Robert E., 264.
Frink, M. D., 221.
Frost, Ansel, 157.
Frost, Johnson L., 338.
Fuller, Edwin, 853.
Fuller, Frances Auretta, 307.
Fuller. Metta Victoria, 307.
Fuller. Osgood E.. 274.
Fulton, James. 110, 119. 150, 158, 170,
189, 190, 209, 211, 214, 257.
Gage. General, 92.
Gallagher. William. 2.32.
Gallinee. !».
(iallinee map. 9.
Galpin, William. 275.
Ganatchio. 24.
Gannon, Joseph .J., 858.
Gamion. Michael. 328.
Gardner, John L., 101. 104.
Gardner. John W.. 895.
"General Brady." 399.
"General Gratiot." 171, 398. 399.
Geology of county. 26.
Gennaii Ilcrold. 290. 293.
Germaino. Henry, 142.
Germaine. Marie. 142.
Gery, B.. 3:'.().
Gibson, William. .550.
Gier. Samuel J., 275.
Gilliert. Roy T., 809.
Gilbert. Solomon, 341.
Gilchrist, Albert. 373.
Gillett. Martin S., 257.
Glover. Eliza W.. .311.
Glyshaw. John, 898.
Gol(U>n Cross, 356.
Gcxjdells, 2.50.
Good Templars, 355.
Goodwillie. David, 576.
Goodwin. Daniel. 202.
Goodwin. Daniel W.. 197.
Gough. William II., 866.
Grace, Patrick. 756.
Grace, William. 224.
Graf. Franklin. 318.
Graham. Stei)h(>n A., 202.
Grand Army of the Republic, 356.
Grand Trunk Railway Company, 392.
Grand Trunk Western, .392.
"Grand Turk," 172.
Granger, Lewis, 267.
Grant township, 240.
Grasses, 37.
Gratiot, Charles, 95, 96.
Gratiot, General, 144.
Gratiot village, 255.
Graveraet. Mary, 159.
Graves, Albert A., 257, 553.
Graves, Susie S., 669.
Gray, Maxmell, 861.
Greeley, Aaron, 79, 95, 141.
Greenback Dollar, 289.
Green, John E., 509.
Green, Sauford M., 199.
Greene, Charles R., 286.
Greenwood township, 241.
Gresollou Daniel de (Greysolon), Sieur
du L'hut. 90.
Griffin, John, 189.
INDEX
XIX
"Griffon," 22.
Grinnell. John D., 201.
Griswold. Augustus U., 82.
Gvosvenor, Delia. 275.
Grout, E. K.. 323, 326.
Gruel. Charles G., 524.
Gunniss, Harry B., 265.
Hagedou, Maynard J., 699.
Hall, Samuel, 256.
Halloway, R. J., 275.
Halstead, 144.
Halsted, Frank A.. 555.
Hamilton, Reuben, 138, 139, 143. 188,
420.
Hand, William F., 596.
Hardwick, Charles. 3.52.
Hardwood timber, 373.
Harrington, Charles F., 629.
V-^ Harrington, Daniel B., 143, 144, 154,
257, 270, 284, 285, 368. 429, 829.
Harrington, Ebenezer B., 196, 203, 255,
256, 283.
Harrington, Jeremiah, 116, 120.
Harris, Edward W., 202.
Harris. E. W., 216, 224.
Harrow, Alexander, 93, 140, 162.
Harrow, James P., 517.
Harrow, John L., 265.
Harsens, The, 167, 176.
Harsen, Francis. 167.
Harsen. Jacob, 176.
Harsen's Island, 18, 161, 234,
Hart and Hudson. 99.
Hart, Frank, 260. 261.
Hart, Franklin C. 784.
Hart, Hugh H.. 617.
Hart, John, ^271.
Hartsuff, William, 257. 287.
Hatch. Rufus. 417.
Hause, Frank W.. 267.
Hawes. J. H.. 283.
Haynes and Beard, 368.
Haynes. Frank J.. 257, 665.
Heath, D. Milo, 268.
Heath, John S.. 2.56, 273, 338.
Heath, Robert A., 268.
Heavenrich, T. F., .3.36.
Heintzleman. Samuel P., 104.
Heisler. William. 6.55.
Heminger, Amasa, 120, 3.38.
Hendrick, Will T.. .501.
Hennepin, Father Louis, 10, 22, 91.
Hibbard, John. 257.
Hibbard, W. B., 368.
Hill, Frank A.. 506.
Hill. Gustav, 657.
Hill, John J., 261.
Hill, Otto L.. 647.
Hinkley, Amos. 172.
Hitchings, Herbert B., 500.
Hitchings, Marshal O., 723.
Hodder, Charles. 710.
Hodges, Augustus M., 267.
Hoffman. Frank, 826.
Hogge, Robert, 2.55.
Holden, James C, 26 j.
Holden, John. 504.
Holdom. Isabella, 669.
Holland, Charles D.. 778.
Holland, Nelson, 371.
Holland, Robert R., 261, 8.59.
Hollands, Hulda St. Bernard, 310.
Holsteins, 381.
Holy ('ross parisli. Marine City, 327.
Home Savings Bank. 431.
Hopkins, Hannibal Allen. 292.
Hopkins, Hannibal A., 713.
Hopkins, Mark, Sr., 150, 151.
Hopkins, Mark, 137, 1.58, 193, 201, 259,
420, 832.
Hopkins, Samuel F., 158.
Hopkins, Stephen S., 286.
Hough, Sabin, 319.
Howard, Henry, 257, 368, 489.
Howard, Herbert, 890.
Howard, John, 366, (portrait) 367.
Howe, George W., 287, 632.
Howe, John, 645.
Hoyt, J. S.. 318.
Hubbard. Bela, 22.
Hubel, Paul D., 700.
Hudson, John S., 271.
Hudson, Thompson Jay, 308.
Huling, Stephen, 1.54.
Hull, Abijah, 80.
Hull, John, 607.
Hull, William. 5.
Hungerford, Fred C, 703.
Hunt, John, 210.
Hunter, William, 2()6.
Huron. 424.
"Huron," 399.
Hurons, 43, 45, 46.
Huron Laud Company, 255, 262. 377,
388.
Huron river, 46.
Hutchins, Thomas, i:>.
Inches. James W., 259.
Independent Order of Foresters, 357.
Independent Order of Odd Fellows, 352.
Indian burial places, 47.
Indian burying-ground, 153.
Indian canoe, 402.
Indian creek, 365.
Indian feast on Walix)le Island, 156.
Indian medicine dance and feast (1832)
155.
Indian reservation, 142.
Indian reservation lands, 83.
Indians — The Algonquian family. 42;
the Iroquois and Hurons, 43 ; the
Neutrals destroyed, 43 ; of the St.
Clair region, 46; reservations and
leaders, 48 ; mound builders and
mounds, 50.
Indian story, 175.
XX
INDEX
Indian treaties, 66.
Ingles, David P., 734.
Ingersoll, Jolin N., 283.
"International Magazine," 294.
In the St. Clair County Pineries, (view)
363.
Ira townstiip, 242.
Iroquois, 3, 43, 44, 90.
Iroquois deed, 61.
Islands in Lake St. Clair, 79.
Jacobi, Jacob, 583.
Jacobi, Joseph, 257.
James, Horatio, 158, 242, 272.
James, John. 75.
James, William B., 684.
Jarvis, Leon V., 670.
Jarvis, Nathan, 267.
Jenkins, Edgar, 264.
Jenkins, Mrs. Edgar, 102.
Jenks, Alice, 275.
Jenks, Bela W., 274.
Jenks, Frank D., 864.
Jenks, Jeremiah Whipple, 309.
Jenks, Robert II.. 259.
Jenks, Russ S., 259, 724.
Jenks, William L.. 278, 903.
Jenks, W. L., (frontispiece).
Jenney, Edwin, 374.
Jenney, William, 374.
Jerome, David H., 317.
Jerome, Horace R., 365.
Jerome, William T., 265.
Jersey cattle, 381.
Jonathan, Mr., 157.
Johnson, John F., 752.
Johnston, John, 257. 429.
Johnston, William J., 536.
Johnstone, John C, 278.
Jones, Enoch, 265.
Jones, George N., 261.
Joslyn, Otis, 369.
Joss, John, 275.
Jouett, C, 67, 141,
Kandequio, 24.
Karrer, Benjamin J., 775.
Kaumeier, Henry C, 613.
Kendall, Jacob. 166.
Keen, Philip, 275.
Keene, R. C, 755.
Kelley, P. R., 549.
, Kelley, Royal. 548.
Kemper, A., 330.
Kemp, William R., 671.
Kenockee township, 243.
Keuyon, A. P., 806.
Kenyon, John, 627.
Keogh, Frank, 266.
Kibbee, Jared, 257.
Kilroy, Lawrence, 328.
Kimball, Bert A., 871.
Kimball township, 243.
Kinch, Ira S., 626.
King, Ernest, 285.
King, Gerald, 285.
King. R. B.. 267.
Kingott, John. 534.
Kitton, John E.. 259. 274.
Klumpp, Frederick C, 882.
Knapp, Thomas S., 115, 142, 151, 240,
365, 373.
Knights and Ladies of Honor, 356.
Knights of Honor. 356.
Knights of the Maccabees of the World,
357.
Knights of the Modern Maccabees, 357.
Knights of Pythias, 355.
Krause, L. II.. 293.
Krebs, C. T. D., 329.
Kuhn, Gustavus W.. 600.
Labor Leader. 290.
Lac de la Chaudiere. 24.
Lac des Eaux de Mer.. 24.
La Croix, Henry R.. 631.
Ladies' Auxiliary of the Brotherhood
of Rjiilroad Traimnen. 357.
Ladies Lilnarv Association of Algonac,
277.
Ladie.s Lilir;iry Association of Marine
City, 277.
Ladies Library Association of Fort
Huron, 277.
Ladies Library Association of St. Clair,
277.
Ladies of the Modern Maccabees, 357,
669.
Ladies of the Modern ]\Iaccabees, Home
of. m'.K
"Ladies' Review," 294. 298.
"Lady Maccabee," 294, 298.
Lahontan. 45, 90.
Lahontan, Baron, 89. 90.
"Lake Huron (Port Huron) Observer,"
282.
Lakeiwrt, 231.
Lamb, Paschal P., 888.
Lamb, William J,, 667.
Lamon. John W., 261.
Laud Board of Hesse, 18.
Land titles — The Iroquois title, 60 ;
Quebec, 63 ; colonial claims, 64 ; Con-
necticut claim, 65 ; Indian treaties
affecting the county, 66; reports of
Indian agent Jouett and Judge Wood-
ward, 67 ; congressional regulation of
titles, 69 ; laud claims in the county,
70 ; British grant, 79 ; survey into
townships, 80; public and school
lauds, 80; railroad lands, 82; Indian
reservation lands, 83; swauip lauds,
83 ; St. Clair flats, 84.
Langell, George, 261.
Langell, Simon, 259.
Langs, Squire, 673.
Larama, William T., 741.
Larned, Charles, 202.
INDEX
XXI
Last territorial court, 190.
Latta, Samuel A., 31G.
Lau.uliton. John, 79.
Lauyhton, Peter, 1(J1.
Law, Eugene F., 544.
Lawes, George A., 579.
Lawyers (see bar of St. Clair county).
Laying out roads, 382.
Leatouio, Fred A.. 844.
Lee, Franlc J., 2r>7.
Lee, William O., 630.
Lester, David, 200, 261.
Lett, John, 900.
Lewis, George F., 284.
Lewis, W. F., 274.
Libraries, 277.
Linderman, Fred L., 712.
Lisconi, Lucius R., 606.
Little, Robert, 107.
Little, William H., 270.
Lodges of railroad conductors and en-
gineers, 356.
Losie. John W., 731.
Lovielle, I'ierre, 140.
Luce, Bartlett A., 205.
Luce Family, 760.
Lucia, Jennie H., 646.
Lynn, Edward J., 244.
Lynn township, 244.
McAndrew, William A., 275.
McCabe, Henry P., 206.
McCabe, H. P., 433.
McCall, James, 261.
Maccabees of the World Temple, (view)
358
McCo'mb, Charles, 833.
Macomb, General, 96, 97.
Maconse, Francois, 155.
McCormick, Charles J., 270.
McCue, Christopher, 592.
McDonald, 109.
MacDonald, Alexander, 839.
McDonald, William H.. 744.
McDougall, George, 143, 180, 203, 263,
417.
McElroy, Crocket, 145, 259, 311.
McElroy, Frank, 261.
Mcllwain, James B., 257.
Mcintosh, James S., 105.
Mclntyre, Angus, 891.
Mclntyre, George, 201, 558.
Mackay, Angus G., 702.
McKenney, Thomas L., 107.
McKinnon, Abner A., 077.
McKinstry, D. C, 137.
McKiustry, David C, 210, 211, 214, 258.
McLachlan, Colin, 750.
McLaren, A. D., 330.
McLouth, Sydney C. 201, 753.
McMahan, Patrick. 805.
McManus, Joseph P., 008.
McMeens, R. R., 333, 343.
McMorran, Henry G., 886.
McNauglU, Archibald J., 266.
McXiel, John, 103, 202, 203.
McQueen, Frank. 330.
Manlcy, F. 10.. 273.
Mann, (ieorge A., 201.
Man waring, ( Mrs.) ' Anna, 279.
Maps — ^(Jallinee map, 9; Sanson map,
13; P()p])le map. 14; relating to Lake
Michigan. 24; showing Indian tribes,
44; plan of canal and town of Huron,
98 ; plan of Fort Gratiot, 100 ; map
of St. Clair county, showing rural
delivery service, 223.
Marine City, 144, 238. 259, 422.
"Marine City Gazette," 291.
"Marine City Globe." 291.
"Marine City Magnet," 291.
"Marine City News," 291, 298.
"Marine City Reporter," 291, 298.
Marine Savings Bank, 431.
Markey, D. P., 359.
Marshall, Alfred C, 830.
Marstou, Morrill, 255.
Martin, David D., 809.
Martin, George XL, 771.
iuarysville, 246.
Marx, Henry F., 053.
Maskeash. 48, 94.
Mason, Horton & Beebe, 368.
Mason, L. M., 195, 203.
Mason, Lorenzo M., 257.
Mather, H. N., 285.
Maurer, Henry, 267.
May, Charles, 646.
Maynard, Joseph, 856.
Maxtield, J. G., 335.
Medical Profession, The — Michigan
Medical Society, 332; Medical Soci-
ety of St. Clair County, 333; North-
eastern District Medical Society, 334 ;
St. Clair, Sanilac and Lapeer Medical
Society, 335 ; Michigan State Medical
Society, 335 ; Port Huron Academy of
Medicine. 336 ; St. Clair County Medi-
cal Society, .336 ; Medical men of the
early days, 337 ; Dr. Harmon Cham-
berlain, 337 ; Dr. Amasa Hemenger,
338; Dr. Johnson L. Frost, 338; Dr.
John S. Heath, 3-38: Dr. Normau
Nash, .338 ; Dr. .John B. Chamberlain,
339; Dr. Alonzo E. Noble, .•'.39; Dr.
Alfred E. Fechet, 340; Dr. Henry B.
Turner, 340; Dr. Jeremiah Sabin,
340; Dr. Labaii Tucker, 341; Dr.
Leonard B. Parker, 341 ; Dr. Solo-
mon Gilbert. 341; Dr. .John T. Tra-
vers, 343 ; Dr. Chas. :M. Zeh, 342 ; Dr.
Wm. Bell, 343; Dr. R. R. McMeens,
343; Dr. Orange B. Reed, 343; Dr.
Bonj. Dickey. 343; Dr. Cyrus M.
Stockwell, .•'.44; Dr. Jeremiah N.
Peabody. .•'.40; Dr. Daniel H. Cole,
.•'.40 ; Dr. George I>. Cornell. 346 ; Dr.
Reuben Crowell, 347; Dr. George B.
XXll
INDEX
Willson, 347: Dr. Frederick Finster.
348.
Medical Society of St. Clair County,
332. 333.
Mer Douce, 2.
Meredith. George S.. 196.
Meldrura. David, 75.
Meldrum, George. 71.
Meldruiu, James, 209.
Meldrum, Joliu. 209.
Meldrum, William. 75.
Meldrum and Park, 94.
Memphis, 422.
"Memphis Bee." 292. 298.
"Memphis Bug." 292.
Memphis State Bank, 433.
Merchant, Charles S., 105.
Merchant. Frank D., 811.
Merriam. C. Hart, 36.
INIerriam, Seward L., 257.
Merrill, George W., 265.
Merrill. .John H., 586.
Merritt, Sylvester W., 204.
Mexican war, 184.
Michigan Air Line Extension Company.
396.
"Michigan Deutsche Zeitung," 294.
"Michigan Hibernian," 294. 298.
Michigan Medical Society, 332.
Michigan Midland & Canada Southern
Railroad, 392.
Michigan Midland Railroad Company,
396.
Michigan National Guard, 185.
Michigan Salt Company. 370.
Michigan State Medical Society, 332,
335.
Michigan (territory), 4.
Miles, Cyrus, 257.
Miles. Marcus H., 146, 202.
Military matters — 'Territorial. 179 ;
threatened Indian outbreak, 181 ;
Soldiers' monument. Port Huron. 183 ;
Port Huron Guards (state organiza-
tion , 183 ; Mexican war. 184 ; Civil
war, 185 ; Port Huron Guards, 185 ;
Spanish-American war, 185 ; Michigan
National Guard. 185 ; Company F,
(old Port Huron Guards), 186.
Military reservation. 142.
Military road. 143.
Militarv street. 385.
Milwaukie City, 231, 372.
Mill creek, 25, 244.
Miller, Jeraud, 139.
Miller, John, 257.
Miller, John A., 643.
Miller, John and Company, 428.
Miller, Joseph C. 797.
Miller and Sou. 428.
Miller salt well. 26.
Millikin, Thomas J.. 879.
Mills, Barney, 372.
Mills, H. R., 335, 336.
Mills. Myron W.. 743.
Mills. Nelson, 372. 681.
Mills. Reuben, 780.
Mini. Joseph, 110, 180.
Mini, Pierre, 72. 180.
Minnie. George, 901.
Minnie. Jo.seph P., 154.
Minnie. J. P., 215.
Mission school, Fort Gratiot, 172.
Mississaugas. 46.
:\ritche]l, Joseph C, 834.
Mitchell. William T.. 200, 727.
Moak. Edward L., 660.
Moak. Eugeno H.. 785.
"Modern Maccabee." 294.
^lodern Maccabees Temple, 669.
Moffatt, James, 401.
Molloy. Thomas H., 620.
Mouson. H. N.. 124. 158.
Monteith, David T., 297.
Montgomery. Lieut., 102.
Moore. Charles F.. 259. 274, 695.
Moore. Ella (Smith). 816.
Moore, Franklin, 286, 372, 721.
Moore, Franklin, Jr., 259, 619.
Moore, Fred T., 257.
Moore, Fred W., 259.
.Moore, George G., 842.
Moore, Reuben, 322. 372.
Moore. Reuben R.. 697.
Moore, Thomas, 796.
Moore, William, 250.
Moore, William K., 265.
Morass, Antoiue. 140.
Morass. Ignace, 235, 365.
Morass, Victor. 364.
Morley, Charles T., 261.
Morley, Robert II.. 528.
Morlej-, ^^ dliam B.. 201.
Morrison. Robert. Jr., 266.
Morse. Hiram, 204.
Mound builders, 50.
Mounds at the head of St. Clair river,
(view), 51.
Mudge, Horace C. 658.
Muir. James A., 508.
Muir. (Mrs.) J. A., 278.
Mulford. John H., 273.
Mullaley. Martin. 266.
Munday, John, 319.
Murphy, Andrew J., 787.
Murray, John, 293, 295.
Mussey, Dexter, 245.
Mussey township, 245.
Nash, Dr., 144.
Nash, Norman, 1.54, 292, 338, 400.
National interests — Protection of lake
commerce, 417 ; early light house
keepers, 417 ; new light house, 419 ;
present structure, 419 ; keepers for
eighty-six years. 420 ; post offices, 420 ;
custom house, 424 ; life saving station,
424 ; government canals, 425 ; govern-
INDEX
XXlll
ment building, 425 ; business of dis-
trict, 425.
National resources — White Pine and
early French saw mills. 302 ; other
pioneer mills. 365 ; the Howard and
Sanborn mills, 30G ; the Browning
mill. oG8 : saw mills at St. Clair, 369 ;
Wesley Trucsdail. 37(t; a second
steam saw mill, 371 ; hardwood tim-
ber mills, 373 ; salt and its manu-
facture, 374 ; fishing industries, 377.
Native trees, 39.
Naumann. T. G., 294.
Naykoozhig, (Driving Clouds), 48.
Neaton, Peter E., 584.
Neutrals. 43.
New Baltimore village, 267.
Newberrv, Lawrence C. 693.
Newell, John L., 257, 264.
Ne-wspapers (see Press), 280.
Newport, 142, 145, 238.
Newport Congregational Church, 326.
Newport Methodist Church. 326.
Newport Ritles, 184.
Ney, G. S., 334, 336.
Nichols, C. R., 320.
Nicoi, 1.58.
Nicol, John, 2.50.
Nicollet, 2.
Noble, Alouzo E., 257, 339.
Noble, B. R., 261.
Noble, Charles. 212.
Northup, Duthan, 112, 184, 317.
Northup, M., 336.
Northup, Myron. 257, 519.
Northeastern District Medical Society,
332, 334.
"Northern Miscellany," 283.
Northwest territory, 4.
Nutt, William H., 895.
Nutting, Josiah. 275.
Nutting, Martha, 275.
Oakes and Holland, 371.
Oakes, William. 371.
Oatman, Edison. 268.
O'Brien, J. C, 732.
O'Connell, Daniel, 577.
O'Connor. William. 868.
O'Dette, Lewis, 521.
Official and statistical — Roster of
sheriffs, 435 ; county clerks, 436 ;
treasurers, 436 ; county surveyors,
437 ; prosecuting attorneys, 437 ;
registers of deeds, 438 ; circuit court
commissioners, 438 ; coroners, 439 ;
senators, 440 ; representatives, 440 ;
congressman, 441 ; population of
county, 442.
Ogden, James, 139.
Ohmer, Edward M., 877.
Ohmer, Henry P., 573.
Oiatiuatchikebo, 24.
0-kee-mos, 153.
O'Keefe, Alexander, 169.
O'Keefe, George A., 113, 194, 197, 201,
202.
Okemos, 49.
Old county .seat, 170.
O'Leary. Alice, 790.
'■Old Red School House," 274.
Olds, Sclmyler S., 85.
O'Neill, .Toiin G., 257.
Order of Free and Accepted Masons,
.351.
Order of the Eastern Star, .351.
Order of the Red Cross, 355.
Osmun. Gil R., 288.
Otsitketa, 24.
Ottaway. Elmer J.. 286, 289, 295, 296.
Owen, Benj. F., 261.
Owen, Tubal C. 2.59.
Palmer, 249.
Palmer, Charles, 260.
Palmer. George, 138, 1.58.
Palmer, Thomas, 137, 1.57, 214, 2.58, 276,
322, 365, 369, 848.
Palmer. Thomas W., 276. 317, 850.
Palmer village, 259.
Park, William, 71.
Parker, Charles C, 810.
Parker. G. Whitbeck, 261.
I'arker, George W., 634.
Parker, L. B., 333, 373.
Parker, Leonard B., 261, 341.
Parker, Willard, 371.
Parkinson. Thomas H., 502.
Parks, Milo. 847.
Patrons of Husbandry, 356.
Patterson, Duncan, 266.
Patterson, John L., 843.
I'eal)odv, Jeremiah N., 346.
"I'earl," 399.
Pearson, Leroy, 533.
Peckins, Martin W., 115.
Peer, Jacob, 166.
Peltier and Doran, 143.
Pelton, Frederick H., 736.
Pendergast, Maurice D., 663.
Peninsular Railway Company, 391.
Penney, F. B., 875.
Pepper, Samuel D., 794.
Percherons. 381.
Percival, Edward F., 818.
Perkins, George L.. 267.
Perrot, Nicholas, 89.
Perry, T. M., 218.
Petit, Anselm, 1.30. 140, 141, 142, 154.
Petit, Edward, 253, 2.55.
Petit, Basil, 145.
Petit, Edwin S., 185, 186.
Petit, Simon, 366.
Phillips, Charles, 1.50. 1.58, 274.
Phillips, Edward, 621.
Phillips, Horace, 275.
Phillips, Patrick H., 718.
Pine river, 13, 25.
XXIV
INDEX
422.
332,
Com-
Owosso Railroad Corn-
Pinery, 423.
Pines, 37.
Pitcher, Zina, 36.
Plainfield. 109, 111, 264, 421.
Plalnfield township, 121.
Plan of canal and town of Huron, 98.
Plan of Fort Gratiot, 100.
Piatt, J. S.. 336.
Point a\ix Trembles, 161.
Pond, George H., 286.
Population of county, 442.
Porter. Ira, 195, 203, 256.
Porter, William, 800.
Port Huron 139, 142, 143, 153, 222,
Port Huron Academy of Medicine,
336.
Port Huron and Gratiot Railway
pany, 396.
Port Huron and Lake Michigan Railway
Company, 82, 390.
Port Huron and Lapeer Plank Road
Company, 386.
Port Huron & Lexington Railroad Com-
pany, 396.
Port tlui-on & Milwaukee Railway Com-
pany, 82, 390.
Port Huron & Northwestern Railway,
393.
Port Huron &
pany, 396.
Port Huron & Saginaw Valley Railroad
Company, 39(J.
Port Huron & South- Western Railway,
394.
Port Huron Baptist church, 319.
"Port Huron Call," 290.
Port Huron City, 253, 256.
"Port Huron Commercial," 284.
"Port Huron Daily Herald," 295.
Port Huron Electric Railway Company,
397.
Port Huron Guards (state organiza-
tion), 183.
Port Huron Guards revived, 185.
"Port Huron Herald," 293.
Port Huron high school, (view), 272.
"Port Huron Journal," 289.
Port Huron Lodge of the Shipmasters"
Association, 356.
"Port Huron Mail," 290.
Port Huron Methodist Episcopal church.
320.
"Port Huron News," 295.
"Port Huron Observer," 282.
Port Huron Presbyterian church, 317.
"Port Huron Press," 287.
Port Huron Protestant Episcopal church,
318.
Port Huron public library, 277.
Port Huron Railway Company, 397.
"Port Huron Republican," 290.
Port Huron, St. Clair & Marine City
Railway Company, 395..
Port Huron Salt Company, 376.
Port Huron Salt Company No. 2, 376.
Port Huron schools, 271.
"Port Huron Sentinel." 290.
"Port Huron Sunday News," 295, 298.
"Port Huron Times." 287.
"Port Huron Times-Herald," 296, 298.
Port Huron township. 245.
"Port Huron Tribune," 290.
Port Huron Union church. 317.
Portraits — Sinclair. Patrick, 21 ; John
K. Smith. 109; Zephaniah W. Bunce,
114 : Emily Ward, 306.
Postollice and custom house. Port Huron
(view), 254.
"Postmaster Everywhere," 292, 298.
Potter, Henry S., 284.
Powers. Hosea. 203.
Pratt, James H., 499.
Present light house, 419.
Press of St. Clair county — ^First terri-
torial paper, 280 ; Michigan's earliest
newspapers, 281 ; the "St. Clair
Whig," 281; the "Lake Huron (Port
Huron) Observer,' 282; "St. Clair
Banner." and its successors, 283 ;
"Port Huron Commercial," 284; "St.
Clair Republican," 286; "St. Clair
County Press," 286; "Port Huron
Press," 287 ; short lived Port Huron
papers. 289; "Port Huron Times,"
287 ; Marine City papers, 291 ; Capac
newspapers, 291 ; Brockway Centre
and Yale, 291 ; Memphis journalism,
292 : Algonac newspapers, 292 ; "Fort
' 292; the "Postmaster
and its publisher. 292;
Herald," 293; German
Port Huron, 293; fra-
Gratiot Sun.
Everywhere"
the "Sunday
journalism in
ternal society journals, 294 ; monthly
publications. 294 ; liiel B. Bucke-
ridge's papers. 295 ; "Port Huron
Daily Herald," 295 ; periodicals of
1911, 298.
Probate courts, 201.
Proclamation of 1763, 63.
Proclamation of 1786, 66.
Productive soil, 379.
Public lands, 80.
Purcell, Edward, 146.
Purdy, Delos. 730.
Putney, Frank O., 510.
Quebec, 63.
Quebec Act, 18.
Quick, Orville M., 751.
Racine, Jean Baptiste, 142.
Radonsky, Anthony, 859.
Railroad lands, 82.
Rains, Gabriel J., 102, 105.
Raisings, 128.
Rankin, James M., 571.
Rapid Railway, 242, 394.
Randall, William, 268.
INDEX
XXV
Rathbone Sisters. 355.
Raymond, J. S.. 2G5.
Recor, Edward C, G91.
Recor, Lanibert. 797.
Reed, Orange B., 343.
Reeves, Francis E., 527.
Reid. Michael, 206.
Reigliley, Cliarles, 318, 319.
Reineclie, August F., 268.
Religious history — First two church
buildings. 312 ; how the M. E. church
was built, 312 ; a union church, 317 ;
Port Huron Presbyterian church,
317 ; Protestant Episcopal church,
318; First Baptist church, 319;
Methodists in the county, 320; St.
Clair Congregationalists, 321 ; Baptist
church of St. Clair, 323 ; Episcopal
church, 324; St. Clair Methodist
Episcopal church, 324 ; Uulversalist
church. 325 ; Marine City churches,
326; the Catholic church in the
county. 326.
Residence of D. B. Harrington, Fort
Huron (view), 256.
Residence of Ralph Wadhams (view),
123.
Residents of 1830, 485.
Rice, Frances M., 728.
Rice. .Justin, 265, 371.
Rickert, Mr., 158.
Richard. Father Gabriel, 144, 154. 327.
Richardson, B. E., 275.
Riebling. Frederick A., 716.
Riley, John, 49, 116, 155, 176, 247.
Riley, township. 247.
River a De Lude. 140.
Riverside Turnpike Company, 386.
Riviere a Chines, 13.
Riviere au Sapine, 1.3.
Rix, Henry. 267.
Roach. William, 273.
Road districts. 111. 227.
Kobbins, Charles W., 275.
Roberts, Charles R., 286.
Roberts, NaiX)leon, 761.
Robertson. J. C, 265.
Robertson. John M., 265, 802.
Robertson. May, 505.
Robeson, H. J., 274.
Robeson. William B.. 559.
Roby, John S., 211.
Rodd, "Mother," 49, 153.
Romeo, 124.
Romeyn, T., 197.
Rood, Reuben J., 801.
Ross, A. Hastings, 318.
Ross, David, 94.
Ross, John A., 846.
Ross, R. B., 286.
Rowe, Isaac, ;]G5.
Rowland, Thomas, 212, 213.
Royal Templars of Temperance, 355.
"Ruby," 236, 399.
Ruff, John F., 574.
Ruff, Tlit'dddre. 2r)9.
Ruli, Williaiu F., 261.
Runnels, Daniel N., 257.
Russell, W. P.. 267.
Rust, Aloney W., 373.
Rust. David W.. 373.
R.van. Thomas F., 2(j(5.
Sabin, Jeremiah, 340.
Sable Baptiste Point de, 94.
Saginaw & St. Clair River Railroad
Company, 396.
"Sainte Claire," 22.
"St. Clair," 171.
St. Clair, 216, 220, 420.
"St, Clair Banner," 283.
St. Clair Baptist church, ,32.3.
St. Clair Congregational church, 321.
St. Clair Episcopal church, 324.
St. Clair Methodist Episcopal church,
324.
St. Clair cjty schools, 274.
St. Clair county — Limits of original
county, 17; international boundary
complications, 18 ; county reduced, 19 ;
origin of name. 20.
St. Clair county under
French fortified post
87; Fort St. Joseph
Lahontan, 89 ; sketch
the English Fort
Patrick Sinclair. 92 ;
three flags —
under Duluth,
abandoned by
of Duluth, 90;
Sinclair, 92 ;
the American
Charles Gratiot.
Fort Gratiot, 95;
96; in 1820, 130; in 1821, 1830, 137;
county organized. 211.
St. Clair County Medical Societv, 332,
336.
"St. Clair County Observer," 283.
"St. Clair County Press," 286.
St. Clair flats, 27, 84.
"St. Clair Herald," 283.
"St. Clair Observer," 283.
St. Clair region in 1815, 161.
"St. Clair Republican," 282, 286, 298.
St. Clair county residents in 1830, 485.
St. Clair river, 25, 28.
St. Clair Salt Company. 374.
St. Clair town, 157, 252, 257.
St. Clair townsliip, 248.
St. Clair village, 249.
"St. Clair Whig," 281.
St. Clair Tunnel Company, 393.
St. Clair & Chicago Air Line Railroad
Company, 396.
St. Clair and Romeo Railroad Company,
387.
St. Clair Sanilac and Lapeer Medical
Society, 332, 335.
St. Clair, William M., 259, 370.
St. Felicity church, 312.
St. George's Society, 355.
St. .Joseph's German Catholic parish.
329.
XXVI
INDEX
St. Michael's Society, 355.
St. Patrick's Society, 355.
St. Stephen's parish. Port Hurou, 327.
Sales, Ed\Yarcl, 143. 255.
Salt springs' land, 81. 239.
Sanborn, Cnmmings, 125, 3GG.
Sanborn, James W., 125.
Sanborn, John M., 275.
Sanborn, John P., 287.
Sanborn, J. W., 214.
Sanborn. William. 372. SG3.
Sanderson, Arthnr II., G52.
Sanson, M., 2.
Sanson's map, 44.
Saph, Hale P., 7!)9.
Saph, Valentine A., 2G0, JGl.
Satler, G. S.. 324.
"Saturday Morning Journal," 289.
Sauber, William F., 2G1.
"Savage," 172.
Sawher, Thomas H., 599.
Sawpine river, 14.
Scarritt, James J., 202, 287.
Scene on the St. Clair river (view), 28.
Schepferman, Frank. 259, 2SG.
Schliukert. John, 578.
Schuoor, Henry C, 374.
Schoales, William L., 556.
Schoolcraft. Kngene J.. 737.
Schuolcratt, Henry R., 14. 99. 2G5.
School lands. 80.
Schools (see educational history).
Schultz. August W.. 718.
Scott. Ephraini. (>25.
Scott, James E., G50.
Scott, William J., 722.
Seaborn, Frank B.. 354.
Selkirk. Avery W.. 739.
Sewart. Arthur A., 831.
Shattuck. J. C. 275.
Shaw, Luther, 321.
Sheldon, Diodorus, 259.
Shepherd. John L., 844.
Sherman, Frederick \V.,
Sherman, Fred W., 29G.
Sherman. Loren A.
311. 495.
Ship building, 403.
Shipmasters' Wives' Club, 35G.
Shipping — Indian and French craft,
402 ; English and American vessels,
403 ; ship building in St. Clair county,
403 ; passenger traffic and freight
business, 404 ; boats built in Marine
City, 405 ; boats built in Port Hurou,
408; boats built in St. Clair, 411;
boats built in Algouac, 413; boats
built in Marysville. 414; boats built
in Lakeiwrt. 414 ; boats built in Fair
Haven, 415 ; boats built in Fort
Gratiot. 415 ; boats built in Burtch-
ville, 415 ; boats built in China. 415 ;
boats built in Cottrellville, 415 ; boats
built in Harsen's Island, 415 ; boats
289.
280, 285, 288, 29G,
built in Clay, 41G ; boats built in
Swan creek. 41G.
Shirkey, George, 5G2.
Short-horns, 381.
Sibley, Solomon, 97. 142, 255.
Siegel, Herbert C, G14.
Silverthorn. William A., 595.
Sims, David, 885.
Simmons. Constant, 267.
Sinclair. Patrick, 21. 71, 92.
Sinclair township, 22S.
Slaughter. Lieut., 102.
Slay, A. Morton, 597.
Sleueau, Kathryne, 279.
Sleueau, Talbert. 813.
Smart. Robert, 235, 244, 365.
Smead, Morgan J.. 712.
Smith, A. and S. L.. 373.
Smith, Abram, 265, 815.
Smith, Andrew J.. 724.
Smith. Angus M.. 265, 814.
Smith. Barnabas D., 892.
Smith. Elisha. 372.
Smith, Eugene, 224, 259, 372.
Smith. Frank J.. 759.
Smith, Fi-ed A., 758.
Smith, George W.. 605.
Smith. Henry T.. 622.
Snutli, John A.. 2(15.
Smith, John K., 108, 111, 121, 156, 163,
188, 189.
Smith. John K.. 202, 264. 271, 421, (por-
trait) 109.
Smith. S. K., .".36,
Smith, William D., G72.
Smith, William IL, 789.
Smith, William J., 704.
"Smith's Creek," 220, 244.
Snybora channel, 28.
Suy. Cartey, 27.
Soldiers from St. Clair county in Civil
war, 443.
Soldiers from St. Clair county in
Spanish-American war, 483.
Soldiers monument, I'ort Huron (view),
183.
Sommerville school, 276.
Sous of Temperance, 355.
Southern, Central and Northern Rail-
roads, 388.
Spalding. Edgar G., 854.
Spanish-American war, 185.
Spanish-American war soldiers, 483.
Spencer, Clark E., 257.
Spencer, Francis E., 267, 611.
Spencer, Melvin, 827.
Sperry, Merritt, 267.
"Split Log," 403.
Stacey, J. W., 36,
Stansbury, Alta, 279.
Stapletou, Martin, 747.
Starkweather, Charles, 261.
Stead, Benjamin, 210.
Steamboats (pioneer), 171.
INDEX
XXVll
Steele. Salmon. 321. 324.
Stevens, Fred W., 285.
Stevens, Herman W., 20<), 257.
Stevenson, Elliott G., 257.
Stevenson. .Toseph. 267.
Stewart, Alexander T.. 297.
Stewart. Aura P.. 159.
Stewart, Daniel. 120.
Stewart. Harvey, 111, 120.
Stewart. John A.. 274.
Stewart. O.. 334. 335, 33G.
Stewart. Shirley. 795.
Stewart, Weaver, IGG.
Stewart. William R., 204.
Stockton, John, 121.
Stockwell. Charles B., 332, 334, 335, 715.
Stockwell. Cyrus M., 334, 3.35, 33G, 344.
Stockwell. Elmer E.. 089.
Stone. Fanny E., 311.
Stone, James H., 287, 288.
Stone. (Mrs.) L. H.. 270.
Straight. Rohert S., 273.
Strauss. Gustavus, 259.
Strelt. Jacob G., 154, 270.
Strevel. John M., 872.
Strevel, Norman, 087.
Striuiier, Thomas L., 030.
Stroauiess. 28. 79.
Stromness Island, 104.
Sturgess, Martha A., 275.
Sugar beets, 380.
"Sunday Connnercial
Sutherland. Thomas.
Swamp lands. S3.
Swan creek, 47.
Sweetser, Alvah, 257.
" 285.
204.
Taft, Seth, 140.
Taggart, Joseph P.. 807.
Talbot, Harry E., 285.
Talbot, James, 284.
Talbot, James H., 285.
Talbot, John F., 285.
Tappan. Harvey, 202.
Tarte, John R., 050.
Tawas, Chief, 153.
Taylor. James, 878.
Tavlor, Oscar, 012.
Taylor, S. G., 207.
TenEvck, Conrad, 211.
Tenney, A. M., 283.
Ternes, Peter J., 779.
Territorial road, 385.
Terry. H. D., 203.
Thatcher. Emerson B., 838.
"The Old White Hat." 289.
Tliomas, Nahuni E., 201, 202.
Thompson, Abigail, 272.
Thompson Academy, 275.
Thompson, A. E.. 3.34, 330.
Thompson, Alexander R., 100, 104.
Thompson, James, 79.
Thompson, Major, 153.
Thompson, Mary A., 270.
way,
231;
235;
237;
Fort
Thompson. O. C, 275.
Tliompson, Oren C. 317. 321. 819.
Thorn, John. 138, 191, 201, 212, 240, 253,
255, 258, 317.
Thorn. Martha. 148.
Thorn, William, 150, 211.
"Threshermen's Review," 295.
Tibbals, Elbert P., 0.52.
Tierney, Father, 330.
Titus, Jonas H.. 231.
Tobacco nation. 45.
Tolman, Thoni.-is M.. 102.
Tompkins. Joshua. 250.
Tonty, 89.
Toulouse, Jac(iucs, 72.
Townsend, Bernard I>., 782.
Township organization — -Three road dis-
tricts erected into townships, 227 ;
Sinclair and Desmond townships,
228; Berlin township. 228; Brock-
230; Burtchville. 230; Caseo,
China, 2.32; Clay, 233; Clyde,
Columbus, 230 ; Cottrellville,
East China, 238; Emmet, 239;
Gratiot, 240; (irant, 240;
Greenwood, 241 ; Ira, 242 ; Kenockee,
243; Kimball, 243; Lynn. 244; Mus-
sey, 245 ; Port Huron. 245 ; Riley,
247 ; St. Clair, 248 ; Wales, 250.
Township surveys, 80.
Transportation — Early road supervi-
sors, 382 ; first highways in county,
383 ; new road .system, 383 ; the mili-
tary road, .384; state roads, 385; toll
roads, 380 ; railroads, 387 ; William
L. Bancroft. .391 ; St. Clair Tunnel,
393; Pere Marquette railway, 393;
Port Huron Southern, 394 ; Rapid
Railway. 394; city street car lines,
390 ; river boat lines, 398 ; ferries,
400.
Travers, J. T., 334, 335.
Travers, John T., 342.
Treadway, Alfred, 197.
Treaty of 1807. 47.
Trip, Manley, 273.
"Tri-Weekly Times,'' 288.
Truesdail. Wesley, 184, 370, 835.
Trumble, Walter J., 726.
Tucker, Laban, 3.34, 341.
Tucker, True P., 197. 203.
Turner, Henry B., 340.
Tyler, J. C, 270.
Uniforms of officers and soldiers,
Upchurch, John Jordon, 352.
Vance, Lucy, 157.
Vance. Sanmel W.. 200.
Van Lauwe. Edward K., 329.
Vanneste Brothers. 523.
Vanneste, Charles E., 524.
Vanneste, Jerome, 524.
A'auneste, Joseph, 524.
180.
XXVlll
INDEX
Vanneste, Julius, 524.
Vanneste. Leon, 524.
Verhoff. P. F. & Company, 152.
Vickery, 246.
Vickery, E. P.. 372.
Vicksburg, 246.
Views — Scene on the St. Clair river.
28 ; mounds at the head of St. Clair
river, 51 ; residence of Ralph Wad-
hams, 12.3 ; Soldiers' Monument. Port
Huron. 183 : Black river looking west
from Military street bridge. (1863).
219 ; court house St. Clair (1856.) 218 ;
city hall and court house, Port Huron,
252 ; post office and custom house.
Port Huron, 254 ; residence of D. B.
Harrington. Port Huron, 256; Brown's
Hotel or City Hotel, St. Clair, 258;
city hall, Marine City. 200; Port Hur-
on high school, 272 ; public library,
Port Huron. 278 ; Diamond Salt
Block. St. Clair. 375; Truesdail's flour
and sawmill No. 2, St. Clair, 370.
Vincent, Edward L., 549.
Wade, Russell N., 808.
Wadhams. Ralph. 123, 235.
Wagenseil, William F., 603.
Wagner, Carl A., 679.
Wales township. 250.
Walker, Dewitt. C. 202, 265, 266.
Walker, Fred J., 840.
Walter, Bernhard, 515.
Walton Salt Company, 376,
Walpole Island, 27.
AV-alsh, Joseph, 185.
Wands, Hazzard P.,
War of 1812, 5, 173.
Ward, David. 305.
W^ard, Eber B., 112,
306.
Ward, Emily, 303, (portrait)
Ward fleet, 403.
Ward. George J., 563.
Ward, Milton, 324.
Ward, Nathan. 306.
Ward, Samuel, 111, 142, 144, 168,
232. 303, 305. 373, 403, 422.
Wards, The, 168.
Waring, George W.. 261.
Warren, George E.. 560.
Warren, Robert S., 624.
Warren. Tobias S.. 266.
Washington Guard. 184.
Waterloo, Charles H.. 259.
Waterloo, Stanley, 308.
Waters, George, 267.
Waters, James T., 792. •
Watson, Joseph, 142.
Watson, Robert W. F., 678.
Weaver, Charles S., 275.
Webb, James Watson, 99.
Weed. Thurlow, 404.
Weil, Herbert L., 297, 298.
225,
286.
146, 170, 303, 305.
306.
Weil. Louis A., 289, 295, 296, 297.
Well man, Thomas, 706.
Wells, 26.
Wells, Anthony. 266.
Wells. Frederick L.. 257.
Wells, the F. L.. well, 27.
Wells. James. 266.
Wells. John. 369.
Wells,' Settlement. 266.
West. A. Edgar, 594.
\vest. Bina M.. 742.
West. Jay O.. 772.
Wesbrook. Andrew, 97, 106, 160, 166.
Westbrook. Ebenezer. 316.
Westcott. Charles H.. 259, 431.
Westcott. David XL. 554.
Western Farm and Home, 290.
Western fur irade, 87.
Westrick, Charles A., & Sou, 537.
Westrick, Charles A., 537.
Westrick, Elzear B., 537.
Wliarton. Thomas W.. 261.
Wiiippie. C. W., 203.
Whipi)le. Frank, 200.
Whistler, William. 103.
White. 216.
White. Edgar. 215. 216. 220, 221. 257.
White, Fortune C, 321, 427.
Whitelish. 377.
"White School House," 274.
Whiting. Henry, 274. 371. 708.
Whiting, John P.. 259, 719.
Whiting. Justin R., 259.
Whitne.v. Andrew G.. 202.
Wilkinson, Ellsworth E., 897.
Williams and Mills, 372.
Willsou, George B.. .347.
Willson, M.. 334, 335, 336.
Wilson, John N.. 138.
Wilson. Jo.seph M., 268.
Wilson. Samuel, 183.
Winchell, Alexander. 36.
Wine-hell, Newton H., 274.
Wing. Warner E.. 197.
Witherell. B. F. H., 174, 202.
Witherell. .James, 5, 189.
Wittlilf, John S.. 616.
\volcott, Frank T., 202.
Wolverton, James R., 145.
Wolverton. James B., 110, 191, 193.
Wolvin. George E., 544.
Wolvin. John F., 774.
\^1oman's Relief Corps, 356.
Wonch. Charles. 887.
Woodbridge, William, 203.
Woodmen of the World, 357.
Woodward, 68.
Woodward, Augustus B., 5, 189.
World's Maccabee Temple — Headquar-
ters of the Ladies of the Maccabees
of the World. 358.
Worthington. Albert, 321.
Wright, Archibald M.. 686. .
INDEX
XXIX
"X-Rays," 295.
Yale. 423.
Yale City, 230. 2G1.
"Yale Democrat." 292.
"Yale Expositor," 291. 29S.
"Yale Hu.stler." 292.
"Yale Record." 292. 299.
Yale State Bank, 432.
299.
Young, Alexander T., 7SG.
Young, Marcus, 287.
Yuill. William R.. 7S1.
Zeh, Charles M., 342.
Zemmer, Albert J., 818.
Ziuk, J. George, 259.
History of St. Clair County
CHAPTER I
INTRODUCTORY
French Control of Great Lakes Region — English-Iroquois Alli-
ance — England Supplants France — American Government Es-
tablished — Territory of Michigan Created — Indian Titles Ex-
tinguished — Natural Riches Finally Recognized — Michigan
Becomes a State — Progress Under Statehood.
The history of St. Clair county comes at so many points in contact
with that of the state and Great Lakes region, that a brief sketch of
their history seems desirable.
The settlement of North America after its discovery proceeded
slowly. America was discovered because it lay in the way of the sup-
posed short and direct route to the East, the source of the luxuries of
the old world. The discovery of the metallic wealth of Mexico and
Central and South America, and the fruitless expedition of De Soto,
concentrated the efforts and attention of the Spaniards upon the mid-
dle sections of the continent, and detailed and accurate maps of the
coast and interior of Central America and Mexico were common for
a century when the United States and Canada west of the Appalla-
ehian Range were as unknown as the interior of Africa.
French Control of Great Lakes Region
The Frenchman, Cartier, discovered and sailed up the St. Lawrence
river as far as Montreal in 1534, but it was three-quarters of a cen-
tury later before any use was made of that remarkable natural path-
way leading far into the interior of the continent.
It was in 1608 that Champlain, the "father of New France," as
Canada was long called, established at Quebec the beginnings of the
French settlement, and this was upon an entirely different theory and
conducted in an entirely different way from the English settlements
just begun on the soil of Virginia. The latter carried with them as
little as possible of the English government. They came to occupy
the land, till the soil, grow its natural products and develop the coun-
2 HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY
try; the French came as wards of their goveniiueiit — tlieir wants sup-
plied by it, their actions controlled by it to the minutest degree. In-
stead of producing wealth from the soil, they calculated upon a rich
return from a source unknown to and unappreciated by the Span-
iards on the south — the abundant supply of fur-bearing animals, and
the Indians at hand trained in their capture. From the ver\' l)egin-
ning the government at Paris issued minute rules and directed indi-
vidual actions. It was not intended that any person within French
dominion should trade with the Indians, or trap or buy furs, except
under government supervision, and when some of the more lawless or
independent broke away from these petty and confining restrictions
and engaged in business on tlieir own aeeount. stringent regulations
were issued against them and they became in fact almost outlaws.
Such a system was doomed to failure from the outset. A king or
his minister three thousand miles across the sea cannot successfully
prescribe tlie daily actions of the man upon the ground, nor so far
as he could do this would it be wisely done. While the difference in
results between the French and English colonies in America was not
wholly due to the difference in governmental interference, this had a
very important influence.
It is difficult to realize how much the fate of America would have
been altered if the French, to their characteristics of bravery, hardi-
hood, facility with the savages, and acuteness of intelligence, had added
the liberty, freedom of action and of religious thought enjoyed by the
English. If the situations had been reversed, with the French upon
the coast and the English upon the waterways into the interior, it is
safe to say that by 1760 there would have been such a formidable string
of forts and settlements upon the Great Lakes and streams emptying
into them, that no force could have dislodged them.
Champlain, the first governor of New France, was as well an earn-
est, intrepid explorer. In 1615, ascending the Ottawa river, liy way
of Lake Nipissing, French river and Georgian bay, he came to Lake
Huron, the ^ler Douce of the early French maps. Already the French
priests, zealous and heroic, had preceded him among the Huron In-
dians at the foot of Georgian Bay, and in all the early French history
Ave find the warrior and the priest pushing together out into the un-
known, suffering martyrdom and death, the one to extend the sway of
his king over new territories, the other to convert the heathen, and
bring them safe into the Christian fold.
Further exploration by Brule, Nicollet, and the priests and traders
lapidly followed, and there was published at Paris in 1650 the first
map of America in which the Great Lakes region was delineated. It
is evident that M. Sanson, "the geographer of the king," as he is
termed, and the author of this map, had received nmch information
of which no record is now known, as he shows all the Great Lakes, even
including Lake St. Clair, although Joliet, Avho explored Lake Michigan
and returned to Montreal in 1669 by way of Lake Huron. Lake St.
Clair and Lake Erie, has been supposed the first white man to know
of all those lakes.
In 1671 the French formally laid claim to all this region by a great
HISTORY OP ST. CLAIR COUNTY 3
cereinoiiy at the Saiilt, to whidi all the iiuiian iialiuiis wlio couhl he
reached were invited. Missions and trading posts were established at
Mackinac, the Sault, Green Bay and other places, the Mississippi re-
discovered, tlie country west and northwest of Jjake Superior explored,
and a vast tract of territory thus became subject to French rule.
English-Iroquois Alliance
In the lueanliuie the English, having couic inlo the possession of
New York, had taken over the dominion of the Dutch and formed a
friendly connection with the Iroquois Indians — those "Romans of the
West." as they iiavc liccn termed — and this connection was to mean
much.
Champlain had early come into conflict with the Iroquoi;^, and the
enmity thus created was extremely injurious to the French ; as the
Iroquois who occupied all central New York and were banded together
into the most formidable Indian confederacy ever known, tierce and
implacable warriors, so controlled Lake Ontario, Lake Erie aiid con-
necting streams, that for many years the commerce of the western In-
dians with the French was necessarily conducted through the Ottawa
river, a roundabcait and hazardous route. Secure in the friendship of
the Iroquois, the English pushed their trading expeditions westward
until they reached the Niagara river, and as early as 1686 a party had
gone up the lakes and rivers to INIackinac. Free from the petty and
harassing restrictions of the French government, the English traders
were able to pay better prices and offer better bargains to the Indians
for their furs, and it required all the French diplomacy and tact, and
religious influence with their savage friends, to retain their trade, and
even then they were continually losing.
In 1649 the Iroquois virtually annihilated the Huron Indians and
from that time, by numerous and generally successful war expeditions
as far west as the ^Mississippi, they greatly terrorized most of the
Indian tribes under French intiuence.
The importance of controlling the inland waterways was early seen
by the French leaders, and in 1866 under the orders of Denonville,
the French governor, a fort was established at the entrance of St. Clair
river, and in 1701 Cadillac, who had successfully represented to the
French government the necessity of the step, established at Detroit a
post, to which lie 1)i'0ught for trade many of the tribes.
England Supi'Lants France
The age-long rivalry of the French and English came to a termina-
tion in America by the defeat of ^Montcalm in 1759, and tlie region of
the Great Lakes passed under English rule. Possession of Detroit
and other French posts along the Great Lakes was taken in 17<»0. The
American Revolution was already preparing, and England M'ijs soon
to see a large part of the territory which she had wrested from France
turned over to l)ecome a part of her former colonies, now formed into
an independent nation.
4 HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY
It was soon after the English obtained control at Detroit and Mackinac
that the famous Pontiac war occurred. The capture of Mackinac and
the unsuccessful siege of Detroit have formed the theme of one of Park-
man's most delightful volumes — "The Conspiracy of Pontiac."
During the period of English control the fort at Mackinac was trans-
ferred at enormous expense from the south mainland to the island, the
fort at Detroit was rebuilt, and a few Scotch and English traders and
army men settled at the forts, or along the waterways.
American Government Established
By the treaty of peace between Great Britain and the United States,
made in 1783, the boundary line between the two countries in this region
was to be the Great Lakes, but the actual possession of the forts control-
ling the lakes was not delivered until 1796, and as all the population re-
siding in what is now Michigan was around or near enough to the forts
to be controlled by them, the result was to leave this section of country
under British control for thirteen years after it was theoretically a part
of the United States. In the meantime, the famous ordinance of 1787
had been adopted by the congress of the confederation organizing all the
territory belonging to the United States lying northwest of the Ohio
river, into what is always referred to as the Northwest Territory, al-
though in the ordinance itself no name is given to it ; but this was
inoperative over what is now Michigan until the forts were surrendered.
In 1800 the territory of Indiana was created to include all of the
Nortiiwest Territory west of the line between the present states of Ohio
and Indiana, and the formation of the state of Ohio out of the remain-
ing Northwest Territory followed in 1802, when the territory of In-
diana was extended to take in the present Michigan, and the "North-
west Territory" ceased to exist.
Territory of Michigan Created
By act of congress passed Januarj^ 11, 1805, the Territory of Michi-^
gan was established. The original limits of the territory were not as
extensive as the subsequent state, comprising only the lower peninsula
and the eastern part of the upper peninsula. It had a white popula-
tion of about three thousand, which was confined to Detroit and a nar-
row fringe along the Detroit river as far south as the Raisin river and
northward to Lake Huron, together with a small settlement at Mack-
inac and one at the Sault.
The government of the new territory was substantially that of the
Northwest Territory and consisted of a governor and three judges, all
appointed by the president and who combined in an unusual way the
legislative, judicial and executive functions. Acting together, the gov-
ernor and judges enacted laws, the judges, when occasion arose, con-
strued them, and the governor administered them. This anomalous
form of government was so extremely centralized that it is difficult
now to realize that men who had fought the war of the Revolution
HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY 5
in order to be free from distant management, could frame and adopt
articles of government under which the governed had no voice in elect-
ing their legislators or rulers. It was in no sense a representative
government, but the people at that time, who were mainly French,
were not accustomed to political independence, and did not desire it,
and even as late as 1818, when the question came before them, they
voted not to change the form so that they might have a voice in the
selection of their legislature. This was no doubt largely due to the
great preponderance of the old French element, accustomed to be
governed by officials appointed, not elected. In 1824, however, the
territory passed under an advanced stage of government provided by
congress, with a legislative council of nine members elected by the
people.
The president appointed as the first governor, William Hull, who ^
had performed a creditable part in the Revolution and had attained the
position of colonel in the army, and afterwards while living in INIassa-
chusetts was major general in the militia and a man of wealth and
prominence. The judges were Augustus B. Woodward, a man of great
abilities, but of equally great idiosyncrasies ; Frederick Bates, soon
succeeded by John Griffin, and James Witherell.
Indian Titles Extinguished
By 1810 the population of the territory had increased to 4,528; its
administration in the hands of Governor Hull and the three judges pro-
ceeded rather inharmoniously, and its development was slow, for several
reasons. It lay to the north of and out of the path of ordinary travel
from the settled east to the territories of the west. Until 1807, with the
exception of Detroit and a strip six miles wide along Detroit river, prac-
tically all the rest of the territory was recognized as belonging to the
Indians, from whom no valid title could be obtained by individuals. In
1807 a treaty was made with the Indians by which they ceded their
rights to a considerable area in the southeastern part of the territory,
V including St. Clair county. In 1819 another treaty was made by which
a large part of the central portion of the state was ceded, and this was
followed by other treaties until in 1842 all Indian rights, except to certain
small reservations, were extinguished.
Natural Riches Finally Recognized
The War of 1812, including the surrender of Detroit to the British,
temporarily destroyed the American jurisdiction, but the battle of the
Thames, October 5, 1813, restored the former status, and the appointment
v^ of Lewis Cass as governor, in the place of AVilliam Hull, imparted a vigor
and spirit to the administration of affairs which were soon felt in many
directions. The question of land titles was unsettled for several years
after the Americans came into possession in 1796. Efforts were slowly
made by congress to provide a method by which people who had gone
into actual occupation of land might obtain title to it, but it was not
until 1807 that an act was passed for this purpose, and the claims author-
6 HISTOEY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY
ized by this act were not surveyed until 1810 and 1811. Although ])y
the Indian treaty of 1807 about six million acres of good land in the
southeastern part of the territory became public land, subject to survey
and sale, the treaty line itself was not surveyed until 1815, and in that
year Edward Tififin, the surveyor general of the United States, reported
that all the lower part of Michigan was extremely sterile and barren and
that not more than one acre in a hundred, or one in a thousand, would
admit of cultivation.
It is probable that this report did not do much damage, as it was not
published at the time and the survey of public lands in the territory
began the following year. Efforts were made to attract immigration, and
tc diffuse knowledge of the quality and extent of the land available for
purchase from the government, and the developments of later years have
made the "Tiffin Report'' a subject of ridicule.
Wm. Darby, the author of an "Emigrant's Guide" and other descrip-
tive works, visited Detn it in 1818, and in his book, "A Tour From the
City of New York to Detroit," gave a favorable report upon the terri-
tory, its soil and climate, timber and products of the soil.
In 1818 Estwick Evans, a noted and eccentric traveler, nuule a trip
from New Hampshire to New Orleans, returning by way of Detroit, and
published an account of his journey in a book with the peculiar title, "A
Pedestrious Tour," and in it he said: "In traveling more tiian four
thousand miles in the western parts of the United States I met no tract
of country which upon the whole impressed my mind so favorably as the
Michigan territory. The soil of this territory is generally fertile and a
considerable portion of it is very rich. Its climate is delightful, and its
situation novel and interesting." One observation which he makes shows
how great was the ignorance at that time of one of the greatest sources
of ^Michigan wealth: "The growth of timber here is principally l)lack
walnut, sugar maple, elm, sycamore, and pine. There is not, however,
an abundance of the latter." Such reports began to draw attention to
the possibilities of Michigan. In 1825 the opening of the Erie canal made
the transportation of people and products between the east and Michigan
easy and rapid. The population of the territory increased between 1820
and 1830 from 9,048 to 31,639, and during the next decade at even a
much higher ratio.
]\IiCHiGAx Becomes a State
By 1832 the people of the territory felt that they had increased in
number and importance enough to entitle them to statehood, and in
December of that year formal application was made to congress for admis-
sion as a state. A census was taken in 1834 to determine the population
and it was found that in the four years since the last national census
there had been an increase to 87,278, or nearly three hundred per cent.
In January. 1835, the legislative council, feeling that a population of
this size should no longer be deprived of state government, particularly
as by the ordinance of 1787 it was expressly provided that when the free
inhabitants of any of the three or five states which might be formed out of
the Northwest Territory should number 60,000 they might form a perma-
HISTORY OF ST. CLATK COUNTY 7
neiit constitution jincl state government, ealii'd a convention to meet in
Mny and form a constitution. This convention was held, a state consti-
tution framed and adopted, senators and a representative elected, and a
memorial from the senate and house of representatives of the state of
^Michigan sent to congress requesting admission into the I Jiion.
Action upon this request was complicated by the controversy which
had been going on for some time with increasing bitterness between the
state of Ohio and the territory of INIichigan over their common l)oundary
line. After much trouble, and many threats of war and arming of
forces, and marching; and counter-marching, congress settled the matter
by allowing the disputed territory to Ohio and compensating Michigan
by the addition of what is now the Upper Peninsula and required ^fichi-
gan to assent to these conditions before it could be admitted as a state.
One convention was held in April, 1836, and this provision rejected, but
as the people were anxious for statehood, another convention was held
in December, the conditions of congress accepted and Michigan was
admitted as a state in January, 1837,
Progress Under Statehood
All this controversy and danger of war had not tliminished the inflow
of settlers. In 1836 considerably more than four million acres of public
land was sold, an amount greater by more than one million acres than
was sold in any other state or territory in the same period.
The census of 1840 showed a population of 212,267. an increase during
the decade of six hundred per cent. At the time of the adoption of the
first state constitution, the people were ambitious and optimistic, and
incorporated a provision expressly encouraging the state to aid in the
making and extension oi internal improvements. During the first four
years of the new state, railroads and canals, calling for the ultimate
expenditure by the state of many million dollars, were authorized. The
appropriations for railroads and canals by the legislature of 1838
amounted to over one and one-half million dollars. The traffic to supply
these arteries of trade did not exist, the state was still a wilderness, with
a nuiltitude of new clearings and new homes just in the process of crea-
tion, but everyone was hopeful. By 1840 the opposite state of mind
existed ; the panic of 1837 had come with its destruction of credit, the
building of canals and railroads ceased, and the state was glad, in 1846, to
sell its railroads and retire from business in those lines. When the people
came to adopt a new constitution in 1850. the memory of the results of
the former state activity was so strong that they expressly provided that
the state should not aid in internal improvements.
A period of fifty-seven years elapsed before another constitution was
adopted, and the people of the state are now living under their tliird
eluirter of government, adopted in 1907.
Since iMichigan ])ecame a state three-(iuarters of a century has passed,
and many and marvellous changes have come. From a population of
about 175,000 it has increased to neai-ly three millions. Its largest city
then contained less than 9,000 people; now 500,000. Its railroads have
8 HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY
grown from less than 30 miles to 13,000 miles; its taxes for state pur-
poses have increased 30 times.
The vast extent of valuable timber which then covered the state was
often regarded as a hindrance to development, rather than an asset of
great value, and the state and the nation both pursued the short-sighted
and extravagant policy of giving away to a few enterprising individuals
a property which, administered with ordinarj' prudence, would have
created a heritage so great that the state of Michigan would never have
needed to collect a state tax to support and extend all desirable forms
of state activity.
In many ways, however. i\Iichigan has done much to be proud of.
Its system of education has been thorough and extensive, culminating in
a university standing high among the world's educational institutions.
It has had a long line of public officials, capable and honest ; its judiciary
has ranked among the highest, and in its material resources, minerals,
timber, fertility and variety of soil, its climate and its unequalled water
advantages, it furnishes to its citizens the \videst opportunities, and it is
no mean boast for a man to proclaim himself a citizen of ]\Iichigan.
CHAPTER II
EARLY MAPS AND DESCRIPTIONS
The Gallinee Map — La Salle-Hennepin Voyage and Narrative —
Lahontan and Cadillac — Geographer to the United States op
America — DeLisle, Popple and Others — First American Geog-
raphy — Emigrant's Directory — Schoolcraft on the St. Clair
Region.
The first white men to traverse St. Clair river, whose records have
been preserved, were Dollier and Gallinee, two French priests who came
up the river in the spring of 1670. It is true that Joliet had come down
the river the preceding year, but unfortunately his maps and records
were lost by the overturning of his canoe in the St. Lawrence river as
he approached Montreal. In 1650 Sanson, the French geographer, had
published a map of North America, which was the first to show all the
Great Lakes, including Lake St. Clair, and their intercommunication and
connection with the St. Lawrence, but this map gives no details of this
region.
The Gallinee Map
The map of Gallinee, who was an engineer as well as a priest, while
poorly proportioned and not at all exact in its relative positions of the
bodies of either land or water — he had no instruments of precision with
him on the journey — is, however, of much interest and importance. It
notes the chief physical characteristics of the route traveled, which
included the Upper St. Lawrence river, Lakes Ontario, Erie, St. Clair
and the east shore of Lake Huron, with return do^\^l the Ottawa river.
The descriptive account of the journey says that after passing up
the Detroit river they "entered a small lake about ten leagues in length
and almost as many in breadth, called by M. Sanson the Salt AVater lake,
but we saw no sign of salt in this lake. AVe entered the outlet of Lake
Michigan, which is not a (juarter of a league in width (by which he means
St. Clair river). At length, after ten or twelve leagues, we entered the
largest lake in all America, called the fresh water sea of the Hurons or
in Algoncjuin IMichigan. " (Lake Huron was called by some early ge-
ographers. Lake Michigan.)
Upon the map opposite the St. Clair flats are the words "great
9
10 HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY
meadows (or prairies),'" and the mouths of two streams emptying into
St. Clair river upon the west side are shown.
La S^illle-Hennepix Voyage and Narrative
The second traveler and explorer of whom record renuiins was La
Salle, who had formed the ambitious program of uniting by a chain of
posts and settlements the French territory along the St. Lawrence with
the settlement at the mouth of the ^Mississippi. In the historic "Griffon, ''
the first sailing vessel upon the western lakes. La Salle set sail from his
shipyard upon the Niagara river August 7, 1679. Fortunately for pos-
terity, he was accompanied by Louis Hennepin, a Recollect priest, who
has preserved for us the main incidents of the journey, and whose
descriptions are in the main reliable, although he was absurdly egotistic
in the importance he assigns to himself, and on all occasions minimizes
or entirely omits to mention the services or importance of others.
After Hennepin's return to Europe he published in 1697 an account
of his experiences in a book entitled "A New Discovery of a Large
Country in America," and in it, after narrating the incidents of the
preparation and trip through Lake Erie, and referring to the country
between Lakes P]rie and Huron, he says: "The country between those
two lakes is very well situated and the soil very fertile. The banks of
the strait are vast meadows, and the prospect is terminated with some
hills covered with vineyards, trees bearing good fruit, groves and forests
so well disposed that one would think nature alone could not have mflde,
without the help of art, so charming a prospect. Tiuit country is stocked
Mitli stags, wild goats and bears. Avhich are good for food, and not
fierce, as in other countries; some think they are better than our pork.
Turkey cocks and swans are there also very common : and our men
brought several other beasts and birds whose names are unknown to us,
but they are extraordinary relishing.
"The forests are chietly made up of walnut trees, chestnut trees,
plum trees and pear trees, loaded with their own fruit and vines. There
is also abundance of timber tit for building; so that those who shall
be so happy as to inhabit that noble country cannot but remember with
gratitude those who have discovered the way, by '\'enturing to sail upon
an unknown lake for above one hundred leagues. That charming strait
lies between iO and 41 degrees of northern latitude. ' '
This language is perhaps a little strongly colored, and it is probable
that where he says wild goats, he had seen small deer, but it requires
little imagination even at the present, with the river banks no longer
covered with the beautiful timber native to them, to reconstruct the
panorama as it slowly spread before the eyes of those Frenchmen more
than two centuries and a quarter ago, as they came up the noble St.
Clair river. A little further on in his account, Hennepin says: "The
current of that strait is very violent, but not half so much as that of
Niagara, and therefore we sailed up with a brisk gale, and got into the
strait between the Lake Huron and the Lake St. Claire ; this last is very
shallow, especially at its mouth. The Lake Huron falls into this of
St. Claire by several canals, which are commonly interrupted by sands
HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY 11
and rocks. We soniided all of them and fonnd one at last about one
league broad without an\' sands, its deptli being evei-ywhere from three
to eight fathoms water. We sailed up that canal, but were forced to
drop our anchors near the mouth of the lake for the extraordinary quan-
tity of waters which came down from the upper lake and tliat of Illinois
because of a strong northwest wind had so much augmented the rapidity
of the current of this strait that it was as violent as that of Niagara.
"The wind turning southerly, we sailed again, and with the help
of twelve men who hauled our ship from the shore, got safely the 2.'5rd
of August, into the Lake Huron."
By the upper lake and the lake of Illinois, Hennepin means Lake
Superior and Lake Michigan.
The map made to accompany the "New Discovery" indicates approx-
imately the general location of the Great Lakes and St. Clair river, but
is on too small a scale to show any detail, except that the country lying
west of St. Clair river is densely wooded.
Laiiontan and Cadillac
Nine years later, in 1688, Louis, Baron de Lahontan came up the St.
Clair river to take over from Duluth the charge of Fort St. Joseph, which
had been built two years before on the site where Fort Gratiot was
afterwards placed. He thus describes his journey: "September 6th
we entered the strait of the Lake of Huron, where we met with a slack
current of half a league in breadth that continued till we arrived in
the Lake of St. Claire, which is twelve leagues in circumference. The
8th of the same month we steered on to the other end, from whence we
had but six leagues to i-un against the stream till we arrived in the mouth
of the Lake of Huron, where we landed on the 14th. You cannot
imagine the pleasant prospect of this strait, and of the little lake, for
their banks are covered with all sorts of wild fruit trees. 'Tis true the
A\ant of agriculture sinks the agreeableness of the fruit, but their plenty
is very surprising. AVe spied no other animals on the shore but herds
of harts and roebucks. And when we came to little islands we scoured
them in order to oblige these beasts to cross over to the continent,
upon which, they offering to swim over, were knocked on the head by
our canoemen that were planted all round the islands."
About 1701 either Cadillac or some one connected with his establish-
ment at what is now Detroit, but at that time was nameless, wrote so
enthusiastic a description of this general locality that it is worth repeat-
ing : "Since the trade of war is not that of a writer, I cannot without
rashness draw the portrait of a country so worthy of a better pen than
mine ; but since you have ordered me to give you an account of it, I
will do so, telling you that Detroit is, probably, only a canal or a river
of moderate breadth, and twenty-five leagues in length, according to
my reckoning, lying north-northeast, and south-southwest about the
41st degree (of latitude), through which the sparkling and pellucid
waters of Lakes Superior, IMichigan and Huron (which are so many
seas of sweet water) flow and glide away gently and with a moderate
current into Lake Erie, into the Ontario or Frontenac, and go at last
12 HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY
to mingle in the River St. Lawrence with those of the ocean. The banks
are so many vast meadows, where the freshness of these beautiful streams
keep the grass always green. These same meadows are fringed with
long and broad avenues of fruit trees, which have never felt the careful
hand of the watchful gardener ; and fruit trees, young and old, droop
under the weight and multitude of their fruit, and bend their branches
towards the fertile soil which has produced them. In this soil so
fertile, the ambitious vine which has not yet wept under the knife of
the industrious vine-dresser, forms a thick roof with its broad leaves
and its heavy clusters over the head of whatever it twines round, which
it often stifles by embracing it too closely. Under these vast avenues
you may see assembling in hundreds the shy stag and the timid hind
with the bounding roebuck, to pick up eagerly the apples and plums
with which the ground is paved. It is there that the careful turkey hen
calls back her numerous brood, and leads them to gather the grapes; it
is there that their big cocks come to fill their broad and gluttonous
crops. The golden pheasant, the quail, the partridge, the woodcock,
the teeming turtle-dove, swarm in the woods and cover the open country,
intersected and broken by groves of full-grown forest trees, which form
a charming prospect, which of itself might sweeten the melancholy
tedium of solitude. There the hand of the pitiless mower has never
shorn the juicy grass on which bisons of enormous height and size fatten.
"The woods are of six kinds — walnut trees, white oaks, red, bastard
ash, ivy, white wood trees and cottonwood trees. But these same trees
are as straight as arrows, without knots, and almost without branches
except near the top, and of enormous size and height. It is from thence
that the fearless eagle looks steadily at the sun, seeing beneath him
enough to glut his formidable claws.
"The fish there are fed and laved in sparkling and pellucid waters,
and are none the less delicious for the bountiful supply (of them).
There are such large numbers of swans that the rushes among Avhich
they are massed might be taken for lilies. The gabbling goose, the
duck, the teal and the bustard are so common there that, in order to
satisfy you of it, I will only make use of the expression of one of the
savages, of whom I asked before I got there whether there was much
game there. 'There is so much,' he told me, 'that it only moves aside
(long enough) to allow the boat to pass.'
' ' Can it be thought that a land in which nature has distributed every-
thing in so complete a manner could refuse to the hand of a careful
husbandman who breaks into its fertile depths the return which is
expected of it?
" In a word, the climate is temperate, the air very pure ; during the
day there is a gentle wind, and at night the sky, which is always placid,
diffuses sweet and cool influences, which cause us to enjoy the benignity
of tranquil sleep.
"If its position is pleasing, it is no less important, for it opens or
closes the approach to the most distant tribes which surround these
vast sweet water seas.
"It is only the opponents of the truth who are the enemies of this
HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY 13
settlement, so essential to the increase of the glory of the king, to the
spread of religion, and to the destruction of the throne of Baal."
Geographer to the United States op America
In 1778 Thomas Hutchins published "A Topographical Description
of Virginia, Pennsylvania, Maryland and North Carolina," which was
intended to accompany and explain "A New ]\Iap of the Western Parts
of Virginia, Pennsylvania, Maryland and North Carolina." This map
was 3534x42;>4 inches and included not only the territory named in
the title, but also part of the Mississippi and Illinois rivers, Lake Erie
and part of Lakes Huron and Michigan, with the peninsula between.
In the preface to his "Description" he states that the lakes shown in
his map were done from his own surveys made preceding and during
the French and English war, and since that time in many reconnoitering
tours which he had made between the years 1764 and 1775.
Thomas Hutchins, the only person ever having the right to the title
of "Geographer to the United States of America," is generally credited
with having devised the rectangular system of surveys of public lands,
and it is certain that he was the first to put it in practice. His map
gives the relative locations of Lake Erie, Lake St. Clair and Lake Huron
with approximate accuracy. It is the first to show the different chan-
nels at the mouth of St. Clair river. There are three rivers emptying
into the St. Clair from the west, one a short, unnamed stream represent-
ing Belle river, as opposite its mouth is a small island. A few miles
above and evidently intended to represent Pine river is a stream named
Riviere a Chines; a short distance above that is another small island,
and a little south of the entrance of St. Clair river is a stream coming
from the west of considerable length, called Riviere au Sapine, and
three or four miles above its mouth is marked "Saw Mill." It seems
probable that Hutchins had depended somewhat on his memory here.
Riviere au Sapine means river of the pine, or pine lumber, and the
mill indicated may be the Sinclair mill built about 1765 on Pine river or
a mill said to have been built on Bunce Creek about 1740.
In the "Description," referring to this locality, Hutchins says:
"The route from Lake St. Clair to Lake Huron is up a strait or river
about 400 yards wide. This river derives itself from Lake Huron and
at the distance of 33 miles loses itself in Lake St. Clair. It is in general
rapid, but particularly so near its source, its channel and also that of
Lake St. Clair are sufficiently deep for shipping of a very considerable
burthen. This strait has several mouths, and the lands lying between
them are fine meadows. The country on both sides of it for 15 miles
has a very level appearance, but from thence to Lake Huron it is in
many places broken and covered with white pines, oaks, maple, birch
and beech."
DeLisle, Popple and Others
It was nearly a century after the Sanson map of 1650 before maps
of this section began to show knowledge of details, such as the tribu-
14 HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY
tary streams nmniug into the river and lake A luap hy DeLisle. one
of the most noted French geographers, issued in 1703. shows liut one
stream in St. Clair county, a river running into Lake Huron a short
distance above the entrance to the St. Clair river, the small stream having
its source near the southwest corner of the county, and a nortlieastcrly
course.
The English map of Popple of 1733 shows an unnamed river of con-
siderable size, having an easterly course, and emptying into St. Clair
river at about the mouth of Black river, while the map of D'Anville of
1746 shows three streams, one quite long, and toward the lower end of
the county, named Belle Chasse. and two shorlcr ones unnamrd above
it. This map is evidently followed by the well knowji English map of
Mitchell of 1755, which, however, shoAvs Imt one stream, the long one
bearing the name Belle Chase.
First American Geogratiiv
The first American geography, issued by Jedediah iMorse in 1789. is
probably indebted to Ilutchins. but the maker of its map of the Xortliwest,
Territory, in which ^Michigan was then included, shows a tine inde-
pendence in the way in which he distributes rivers aiul names in this
locality. His map shows no I'ivers emptying into St. Clair river from the
west, but between that river and Saginaw bay there are three streams
called, respectively, Sawpine river. River a Chines and Belle Chase river.
The first is evidently a transference from the Hutchins map of the Riviere
au Sapine, and the last is from the Belle Chasse of D'Anville. hul these
names in their Americanized forms are meaningless.
It seems cpiite probable that the present name of Belle river is derived
from Belle Chasse, or fine hunting, and that River a Chines, which has
no meaning, was originally a mistake for Riv(M- a ('henes. oi- viver of
oaks.
Emigrant's Directory
In 1820 there was published in England a "View ol' the rniled States
of America, Forming a Complete Emigrant's Directory," based upon
the fullest reports then obtainable of the different parts of the country.
It thus describes our county: "The straits of St. Clair are twenty -six
miles long. The land on both sides is partly prairie, interspersed with
strips of lofty woodland, consisting of oak, sugar maple, poplar, black
walnut, hickory and white pine. Nature has here planted groves of
the latter timber suitable for masts, boards and shingles, which is much
increased in value by the scarcity of this excellent wood, since it can be
transported to distant parts destitute of so very useful a material. In
the straits there are several A^aluable islands and there is water suffi-
cient for a twenty gun ship."
Schoolcraft on the St. Clair Region
In May. 1820. Henry R. Schoolcraft, who subsequently was for
many years JJ. S. Indian agent in the Upper Peninsula, and a voluminous
HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY 15
and important writer ujjon Indian subjects, passed up llie St. ('lair
river as a member of Governor Cass' expedition to the headwaters of
the Mississippi. In his account of the journey, he says : ' ' The i)rin-
cipal tributary streams of St. Clair river are i^elle i-iver and Bhick
river, both entering' on the United States shore, tlie foi-mer at the dis-
tance of fourteen and the latter at the distance of two miles l)elow Port
Gratiot. The banks of the River St. Clair are handsomely elevated and
well wooded with maple, beach, oak and elm. Settlements continue for
a considerable part of the way on the American shore and conti'il)ute
very much to the effect of a district of river scenei-y. wliich is generally
admired. The lands are rich and handsomely exposed to the sun. The
river is broad and deep, with a gravelly shore and transparent water,
and its svirface is chequered with a numl)er of the most beautiful
islands. Indeed, the succession of interesting views luul afforded us a
continued theme of admiration and we can fully unite in the remark
of Baron La Ilontan, who passed this strait in 1688 'that it is difficult
to imagine a more delightful prospect than is presented by this strait
and the little Lake St. Clair.' "
It is obvious that Schoolcraft gave the name of Belle river to what
was in fact Pine river, and he probably passed by the mouth of Belle
river without observing it, owing to the angle at which it enters the
St. Clair river. In going up the river, the party passed nine boats at
anchor, because of head winds, and the amount of shipping attracted the
travelers' attention. The wildest imagination possessed by any member
of that party could not have conceived the number and size of the boats
which would be met in a similar trip today, less than a century later.
CHAPTER III
BOUNDARIES AND NAME
Limits of Original County — International Boundary Complications
— St. Clair County Reduced — Origin of Name.
• The county of St. Clair was created by Governor Cass by his procla-
mation of March 28, 1820, as follows:
"Whereas, a petition has been presented to me, si^ed by a number
of the citizens of the said territory, requesting that the boundaries of a
new county, and the seat of justice thereof, may be established by an act
of the executive, which shall not take effect until the arrival of a period
when its population may require such a measure.
"Now, therefore, believing that a compliance with this request will
have a tendency to increase the population of such part of the Terri-
tory as may be included within these boundaries, and to prevent those
difficulties which sometimes arise from the establishment of counties,
when the settlements are formed and conflicting opinions and interests
are to be reconciled ; I do, by virtue of these presents, and in conformity
with the provisions of the ordinance of congress of July thirteenth, one
thousand seven hundred and eighty-seven, lay out that part of the said
Territory included within the following boundaries, namely : Begin-
ning at the southeast corner of township number three north, range
number fourteen east ; thence north to the northeast corner of town-
ship number four in the same range ; thence west to the county of Oak-
land ; thence north to the northeast corner of township number six
north, and range number eleven east ; thence w^est to the Indian bound-
ary line as established by the treaty of Detroit, November seventeenth,
one thousand eight hundred and seven ; thence north with the same,
• north and northeasterly to the boundary line between the United States
V and British Province of Upper Canada ; thence with the said boundary
line southwardly, to a point due south from the place of beginning;
and thence to the place of beginning, into a new county to be called
the county of St. Clair. And I do, in conformity with the report of
the commissioners appointed for that purpose, establish the seat of jus-
tice of the said county, at the town of St. Clair.
"And I do further declare, that this proclamation shall take effect
and be in force after the same shall be so declared by the Governor of
the said Territory, or other competent authority therein for the time
being, and not sooner.
16
HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY 17
"In testimony whereof, I have caused these letters to be made
patent, and the Great Seal of the said Territory to be hereunto affixed.
Done at the city of Detroit, this twenty-eighth day of March, in the
year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty, and of the
Independence of the United States the forty-fourth.
' ' By the Governor : Lew Cass.
"Wm. WooDBRiDGE, Secretary of Michigan Territory."'
Limits op Original County
The county thus formed had an area about four times as large as
the present county, and included not only the present county, but a
large part of Sanilac, Lapeer, Tuscola, Genesee and Shiawassee coun-
ties, and a small part of Macomb, Saginaw and Huron counties. The
west and northwest boundary was the Indian treaty line of 1807. When
the territory of Michigan was created by the Act of January 11, 1805,
the only portion of land within its boundaries under the absolute juris-
diction of the United States, was a strip six miles in width along the
Detroit river, and a small area at the Straits of Mackinaw. In order to
enable settlements to be made and titles to be given in accordance with
the policy which had been begun by the United States, Governor Hull
on behalf of the government made a treaty with the Chippewas, Otta-
was, Pottawatomies, and Wyandots, thus including all tribes who might
have any possible claim upon the territory to be ceded. This treaty was
made at Detroit, November 17, 1807, and by its terms "the sachems,
chiefs and warriors of the above nations ceded and quit claimed to the
United States all right, title and interest which the said nations then
had or claimed, or ever had or claimed, to the following land : Begin-
ning at the mouth of the Miami river of the lake (now Maumee river
at Toledo) ; thence running up the middle of said river to the mouth
of the great Auglaize river; thence due north until the line intersects
the parallel of latitude to be drawn from the outlet of Lake Huron,
which forms the River St. Clair; thence running northeast leading in
a direct line to White Rock in Lake Huron ; thence due east until it
intersects the boundary line between the United States and Upper
Canada in said lake; thence southerly, following the boundary line
down said lake; through River St. Clair, Lake St. Clair, and the River
Detroit, into Lake Erie to a point due east of the aforesaid Miami
river; thence west to the place of beginning."
This north and south line was not surveyed until 1815, at which
time the system of public surveys was instituted in INIichigan, and it
was adopted as the line of the principal meridian of ]\Iichigan. The
line running to the northeast was never surveyed, and became of no
consequence by reason of the treaty with the Chippewa Indians, made
by Governor Cass in 1819 by which all the Indian rights were ceded to
a considerable distance west of that line.
The eastern line of the county was the international boundary line
between the United States and Great Britain. When the treaty of
peace between these countries was made in 1783, no portion of the
territory through Avhich the boundary line would run had been sur-
Vol. 1—2
18 HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY
veyed, and but a small part of it had ever heen explored. There were
many maps in existence, both English and French, which delineated
the eonutry, bnt they were all more or less inaccurate. The map most
generally known at that time, both in England and the United States,
was the map made in 1755 hy Dr. John IMitchell. Dr. ^litchell, an
Englishman who had come to the United States on a seientifie expedi-
tion, and remained here for some years, later returned to England and
constructed, under the supervision of the Board of Trade, a large map
of North America. A copy of this map was used by the Peace Com-
missioners in agreeing upon the boundary line between the two nations.
Upon this map the Great Lakes are shown with some approach to ac-
curacy, but very inaccurate in details. The delta at the mouth of St.
Clair river is not shown at all, nor any of the islands there located.
St. Clair river appears to have a width of from two to three miles, and
contains numerous islands, and has a length of not more than twenty
miles.
In the language of the treaty, the boundary line was to run through
the middle of Lake Erie until it arrives at the water communication
between that lake and Lake Huron, "thence along the middle of said
water communication into the Lake Huron ; thence through the middle
of said lake to the water communication between that lake and Lake
Superior. ' '
International Boundary Complications
It is obvious that this description, based upon such iusufficient
knowledge of the actual geography of the territory, would lead to mis-
understandings, and this became true not only of the Great Lakes re-
gion, but also of various other points along the boundary line. The
Mitchell map failing to show the islands in the delta at the outlet of
St. Clair river, and the ordinary channel traveled by boats being the
north channel, for a number of years after 1783 all of the islands, in-
cluding Dickinson's and Harsen's Island were claimed bj'' the British
and some English citizens who did not desire to give up their English
citizenship, settled there. For some time after the English acquii-ed
the French territory, the locality in which ]\Iichigan is situated was not
under any recognized jurisdiction. In 1763 the so-called Quebec Act
was passed which, however, did not extend to Detroit and vicinity, and
it was not until 1774 that that district was placed under the jurisdic-
tion of the British officials. After the War of the Revolution, the
English instituted a method for granting lands to her citizens, and
divided Quebec into four districts, one of which was named Hesse, ex-
tending from Long Point in Lake Erie to Lake tluron. In order to
receive applications and grant awards of land in these districts, land
boards were created, and to the Land Board of Hesse applications were
made for some land upon these islands, and now within American lines.
About 1809 the surveyor for the English government made a map of
the lower end of St. Clair river and Lake St. Clair, and upon this map
the boundary line is shown to follow the north channel. ITpon the
same map Anchor bay is shown and named with the explanation that
HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY 19
there was a bar at the mouth of the north channel in consequence of
which loaded vessels were required to anchor and lighter.
At the treaty of peace after the War of 1812 concluded at Ghent
in December, 1814, in article 6, the provisions of the former treaty re-
lating to the boundary upon the north of the United States, were re-
ferred to, and the treaty continues: "And, whereas, doubts have
arisen, what was the middle of the said river, lakes, and water com-
munication, and whether certain islands lying in the same were within
the dominions of his Britanic majesty, or of the United States," in
order to decide these doubts, two commissioners were to be appointed
and to declare and designate the boundaries and decide to which coun-
try the several islands belonged. Acting under this provision of the
treaty, commissioners were duly appointed. They held their first meet-
ing at Albany, November 18, 1816, and began their w^ork the following
year upon the St. Lawrence river. Their survey of the Detroit river.
Lake St. Clair and St. Clair river was performed during 1819, and
1820, and they made a map of the entire survey upon a large scale.
They arrived at their conclusions and executed their final award June
18, 1822, and their decision, so far as relates to this locality, was tliat
the line coming north should run through the middle of Lake St. Clair,
"In a direction to enter that mouth or channel of the River St. Clair
which is usually denominated the Old Ship Channel ; thence along the
middle of said channel, between Squirrel Island on the southeast, and
Herson's Island on the northwest, to the upper end of the last men-
tioned island, which is nearly opposite to Point aux Chenes, on the
American shore; thence along the middle of the River St. Clair, keeping
to the west of, and near, the islands called Belle Riviere Isle, and Isle
aux Cerfs, to Lake Huron."
This settled finally the international boundary line at this point.
By the treaty of 1842, between the same countries, it was agreed that
all water communications should be free and open to the use of the
citizens and subjects of both countries.
St. Clair County Reduced
The boundaries of the county remained as above stated but a short
time. The governor, by proclamation, dated September 10, 1822, re-
citing that, "Whereas, circumstances require that the boundaries of
certain counties in this territory should be more clearly defined, and
the lines thereof made to correspond with the public surveys, and with
the convenience of the settlements which have been recently formed ;
and whereas, it is expedient as well to prevent collision of interests and
opinions which generally attend the laying out of counties after a
country is settled, as to hold out inducements to migration and enter-
prise by the establishment of counties in every part of the territory,
I have therefore, in conformity with the provisions of tlie ordinance
of congress of July, 1787. altered, defined and established the boun-
daries of certain counties heretofore organized, and have laid out cer-
tain other counties in the manner hereinafter described." He then
proceeded to change the boundaries of ^ALTcomb county hy adding to
20 HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY
it from what had been St. Clair county territory, township No. 5 north
of range 12 east, and the west half of township No. 5, north of range
13 east, and fixed the boundary of St. Clair county as follows: "Be-
V ginning on the boundary line between the United States, and the
province of Upper Canada, where the boundaries of the counties of
Wayne and Macomb intersect the same ; thence with the said boundary
line between the United States and the province of Upper Canada, to
a point in Lake Huron east from the eastern termination of the line
between sections thirteen and twenty-four, fourteen and twenty-three,
fifteen and twenty-two, sixteen and twenty-one, seventeen and twenty,
and eighteen and nineteen, in the township number ten, north of the
base line; thence from the said point west to the shore of Lake Huron;
thence with the said line, between the said sections, to the line between
the twelfth and thirteenth ranges, east of the principal meridian ;
thence with the said line south, to the northern boundary of the county
of Macomb ; thence with the said northern boundary east to the line
between the third and fourth sections in the fifth township north of
the base line, and thirteenth range east of the principal meridian ;
thence south to the line between the fourth and fifth townships, in the
last mentioned range ; thence east to the line between the fourteenth
and fifteenth ranges, east of the principal meridian ; thence south to
Lake St. Clair thence in a direct line to the place of beginning."
The effect of this act of the governor was to leave the county of
St. Clair somewhat larger than at present, and very much reduced in
size from its original boundaries. It included the lower one and one-
half surveyed townships of Avhat is now Sanilac county, and a township
and a half of what is now Macomb county, with what is now St. Clair
county proper. The boundary remained in that condition for ten years
when by an act of the legislative council, approved June 22, 1832, the
east half of township 5 north range 13 east and the entire township
5 north range 1-1 east, were annexed to and made a part of Macomb
county. The boundaries then remained unchanged until 1848, when
townships No. 9 north and the south half of No. 10 north, ranges 13,
14, 15, 16 and 17 were taken from the county of St. Clair, and added
to the county of Sanilac, thus reducing the boundaries of St. Clair
county to their present condition.
Origin of Name
There is some difference of opinion as to the origin- of the name of
the county. One view is that it was so named in honor of General
Arthur St. Clair who was the first governor of the Northwest Terri-
tory. At least as early as 1797 there was a township of St. Clair in
the county of Wayne, and from a tax roll of 1802 of the township of
St. Clair, it is evident that this included the present St. Clair county.
On January 5, 1818, while the present county of St. Clair was in-
cluded in the county of Wayne, the court of general quarter sessions
of the peace for the county of Wayne (that long and cumbersome
name indicating a body roughly approximating the board of super-
visors), divided a part of the countj^ into townships and submitted the
General Patrick Sinclair
22 HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY .
same to the governor for his approval and acting under the provi-
sions of the ordinance of 1787, Governor Cass, by proclamation, estab-
lished a township within the following limits, viz. : ' ' Beginning at the
opposite (north) shore of the River Huron (now Clinton river in
Macomb county) including the shore and running along the shore of
Lake St. Clair to the mouth of the River St. Clair, and along said
river to Fort Gratiot, and extending in the rear as aforesaid;" this
township to be called the township of St. Clair ; the depth of the ex-
tension apparently being, by reference to other townships created at the
same time, three and an eighth miles, or 80 arpents, that being the
depth of the most of the French or private claims together with the
extension claim in the rear.
The county of IMacomb was set off by Governor Cass on January
15, 1818, and the court of general quarter sessions of the peace for
that county, having divided the county into townships and submitted
the same to the governor for his approval, he did on the 8th day of
April, 1818, lay out all that part of the count}' of ]\Iacomb lying north
of a line drawn due west from the mouth of Swan creek to the Indian
boundary line, into a township to be called the township of St. Clair.
This substantially included all the territory within the county of St.
Clair, as it was established in 1820, and the new county therefore ap-
propriated the name which had formerly been attached to the township.
Another view is that the name St. Clair came from the fact that
the township and county extended along the shore of the Lake and
River St. Clair. The name of the lake and river was not derived from
General St. Clair, but properly spelled, would be St. Claire. When
LaSalle in 1679 sailed in the "Griffon" from Lake Erie up through
the Detroit river, he entered upon Lake St. Clair upon the 12tli day of
August, which was the festal day of Santa Clara, and in consequence
of that fact he bestowed her name upon the lake. Hennepin, the his-
torian of the trip, describes that in this language: "Betwixt the Lake
Erie and Huron there is almost such another streight thirty leagues
long, which is of an equal breadth almost all over, except in the middle
that it enlarges itself b}' help of another lake far less than any of the
rest, which is of a circular form, about six leagues over, according to
the observation of our pilot. We gave it the name of Lake St. Claire,
although the Iroquese who pass over it frequently when they are upon
warlike expeditions, call it Otseketa. The country between those two
lakes (Erie and Huron) is very well situated and the soil very fertile."
From an historical address by Bela Hubbard on the occasion of
the second centennial anniversary of the discover}^ I quote :
"It was a custom of French voyageurs in new regions to bestow
upon any prominent feature of the landscape the name of the saint
to whom the day of the discover^' was dedicated in the church calendar.
The saint whose name was really bestowed, and whose day is August
12, is the female 'Sainte Claire,' the foundress of the order of Fran-
ciscan nuns of the thirteenth century, known as ' Poore Claires. ' Clara
d'Assisi was the beautiful daughter of a nobleman of great wealth, who
early dedicated herself to a religious life and went to St. Francis to
ask for advice. On Palm Sundav she went to church with her familv
HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY 23
dressed iu rich attire, where St. Francis cut oil' her loug hair with
his own hands and threw over her the coarse penitential robes of the
order. She entered the convent of San Daiuiano iu spite of the oppo-
sition of her family and friends. It is related of her that on one occa-
sion, when the Saracens came to ravage the convent, she arose from
her bed, where she had been long- confined, and placing the pyx, which
contained the host, npon the threshold, she kneeled down and began to
sing, whereupon the inlidels threw down their arms and tied. Sancta
Clara is a favorite saint all over Europe, and her fame in the New
World ought not to be spoiled — like the record of the dead in a battle
gazette — by a misspelt name!
"She was one of the most celebrated foundresses of orders in the
Roman church. Besides the Clarisses, instituted in 1212, she is said
to have founded the Capucines, the Annonciades, the Cordolieres or Gray
Sisters, the Nuns of the Ave Maria and of the Conception, and the
RecoUetes. At a time when all the communities were extorting from
the popes the authorization to possess property, she solicited from In-
nocent IV., in favor of her order of Franciscans, the privilege of per-
petual poverty ! F. Way, in his work on Rome, pu])lished in 1875, says :
'Sancta Clara has her tomb at the Minerva, and she dwelt between
the Pantheon and the Thermae of Agrippa. The tenement she occu-
pied at the time of her decease still exists, but is not well known. In
a little triangular place on or near Via Tor, Argentina, lodged the first
convent of the Clarisses. If, crossing the gateway, you turn to the left
of the court, you will face two windows of a slightly raised ground
floor. It was there Innocent IV. visited her, and there on the 12th of
August, 1253, listening to the reading of the Passion, in the midst of
her weeping nuns, died the first abbess of the Clarisses and the founder
of 4,000 religious houses. '
"We are not told with what imposing ceremonies the christening
was performed, but surely some inspiration was derived from the beau-
tiful scenes of nature through which the voyageurs had just passed,
which then surrounded them, and which to our eyes this day are no
less lovely and inspiring. The natural beauty of the region lying be-
tween Lakes Erie and Huron had been recorded by all the early travel-
ers, with words of admiration. Many of the islands were low, and
some of the river margins scarcely above the water. But all was green
and peaceful. Dark forests extended to the river edge, and inany a
tall monarch of the wood waved its gigantic arms over the brink, and
was reflected in a glassy surface which no tide or flood ever disturbed.
The marshes were luxuriant with wild rice, that furnished a sump-
tuous repast to a great variety of birds and water fowl, and even a
Avelcome supply to the Indians. Occasional villages and l)ark wigwams
enlivened the shore, surrounded with gardens and corn flelds, and the
most elevated points were crowned with burial mounds. jMost of the
shores had high banks and w^ere covered with timber."
The name if properly Anglicized would appear as Saint Clare, and in
most of the English maps for fifty years, beginning with 1710 the name
does appear in that form, but the present hybrid form soon came into use
24 HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY
and upon the English maps beginning as far back as 1755 the name ap-
pears as in its present form.
Before the time of La Salle the lake had many names. The first
map of this region was made by Sanson in 1650, and upon that map
the lake is named Lac des Eaux de ]\Ier. Upon various other maps
the name appears as Otsiketa, Ganatchio, Lac de la Chaudiere, Kande-
quio, Oiatinatchiketo, and Oiatinonchikebo. The name Lac des Eaux
de Mer, or Sea Water, has the same meaning as Otsiketa, and evidently
was derived from the existence of salt springs at several places along
the northwest shore of the lake. Lac de la Chaudiere — Lake of the
Kettle — was evidently so named from its circular shape. The last two
names are the same and appear to refer to the Wea or Miami Indians
who probably had at one time a tribe in that vicinity.
The name which was used by the ]\Iissisauga Indians who came into
its vicinity the latter part of the seventeenth century and established
a village near it, was Wahwehyahtahnoong, meaning the round lake.
CHAPTER IV
COUNTY GEOGRAPHY AND GEOLOGY
Streams and Drainage — Glacial and Geological Action — Knowl-
edge Derived from Drillings — St. Clair Flats ant) River — Im-
provements OF River Channels.
St. Clair county is the easternmost county in ^Michigan, the city of
Port Huron containing the point extending farthest east, just north
of the mouth of Black river. It lies between 82° 24' and 83° W. long-
itude, and parallel 43° N. of latitude crosses at the entrance of St.
Clair river. The county contains 16 full surveyed townships, and 8
fractional townships, without including the islands, it has a width at
the widest point of 27 miles ancj a length of about 45 miles.
There are in the county 22 organized townships, 4 cities, 3 villages
and parts of 2 more.
Streams and Drainage
St. Clair river, which forms a large part of the eastern part of the
county boundary, has a length of approximately 30 miles with a trend
to the westward, its mouth at Algonac being about 7 miles farther west
than its entrance. Into this river empty all the streams which form
the drainage system of the county, there being three streams of im-
portance : Black river, which finds its main source in the swamps
along the north line of Sanilac county, whose chief affluent within
St. Clair is Mill creek, which has its own sources in Lapeer county.
Pine river and Belle river. Into these rivers flow a large number of
creeks of varying length and size, which together form a very complete
system of outlets and drainage for all the low or swamp land within
the county. The sources of the rivers are in all cases much to the north
of their mouths so that their general direction is from nearly south in
the case of Black river, to southeast with the other two rivers. In
general, the surface is quite level, and at no places reaches the height
above the lake level of more than 150 feet. With the exception of some
miles along Black river there are few elevations, and little rough or
broken surface. Originally a considerable portion of the county was
swampy, but these swamps are readily drainable, and under the pro-
visions of the drainage laws practically all of the so-called swamp land
within the county has been drained and reclaimed.
25
26 HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY
Glacial and Geological Action
At the time of the glacial period in America this part of ^Michigan
was entirely covered with ice, but the warmer region toward the Ohio
river melted the ice as rapidly as it was pushed southward. The under
layers brought imbedded pieces of rock and stone from the far north,
and as the climate grew warmer the ice melted more rapidlj^, the
stones and drift were deposited in places, and lakes were formed. There
was thus formed a large lake including Lake St. Clair, the greater part
of St. Clair county, and extending a considerable distance southwest of
Toledo, and this lake found an outlet to tlie southwest and the i\Iis-
sissippi valley.
As the time went on, tlie it-e receded and tinally as the i'roiit end
of the ice wall reached the upper end of Lake Huron, the waters found
an outlet into the St. Lawrence valley by way of Lake Nipissing and
the Ottawa river. This ancient outlet was the route used liy the early
French explorers who found only a short portage between the head
waters of the Ottawa and the streams empt3'iug into Lake Huron.
There then came a time when the land on the north of Lake Huron
began to rise more rapidly than at the south, and that movement has
continued at the rate of a few inches a century up to the present time.
The result of this geological action was to open a new outlet for the
waters of Lake Huron, Lake Superior, and Lake ]\Iichigan into Lake
Erie, and the St. Lawrence river, and this condition still exists. If
the tilting toward the south continues it is quite conceivable that the
Avaters of the upper Great Lakes may again find their way into the
Ohio valley and the Mississippi.
Another result of this tilting action from the northeast has been
the drow'ning of the rivers opening into St. Clair river from the west,
Black, Pine and Belle rivers are all dead streams for some distance from
the mouth.
Knowledge Derived from Drillings
There is no rock exposure at any point within the county, nor in-
deed does it anywhere come near the surface, our knowledge therefore
of the underlying formation of this locality must be based upon the
data derived from the wells drilled within the county and fortunately
there are enough of those whose records have been faithfully kept to
furnish us complete information. Thus the ^filler salt Avell at the ex-
treme south end of the county shows 208 feet of surface soil, 85 feet soft
white shale, 20 feet soft brown limestone, 200 feet soapstone, then 1,120
feet mainly limestone with one layer 75 feet in thickness of blue shale
and an 80-foot layer of shale and salt mixed. At 1,633 feet a hundred
foot bed of salt was struck.
A well at Marine City shows surface clay 145 feet, then mainly
slate of varying color and hardness to a depth of 930 feet when lime-
stone is struck at 1,170 feet, a layer 200 feet thick of sandstone is
found, then follows lime rock and shale and at 1,675 feet a hundred
foot bed of salt is found.
HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY 27
The F. L. Wells well at Port Huron showed a surface mostly clay
102 feet, 83 feet black slate and shale, 450 feet lime i-ock, at 810 feet
.1 bluish black marl about 90 feet thick, at 1,000 feet a brine, at 1,150
feet sandstone, at 1,255 feet a dolomitic limestone wliich continues down
about 300 feet, then layers of salt and shale to a little above 1,700 feet,
when the bed of solid salt is reached.
These drillings show a substantial uniformity above the salt rock:
At Port Huron the Huron formation extending to a depth of 200 feet,
then the Hamilton to about 750 feet, the Corniferous to 1,000 feet, the
Oriskany to 1,150 feet, the Helderberg to 1,535 feet, when the Salina
formation begins.
At Marine City the Huron extends to 360 feet, the Hamilton to
635 feet, the Corniferous to 1,060 feet, Oriskany to 1,130, Helderberg
to 1,485, when the Salina formation is found.
The establishing of the great salt deposit within a practicable dis-
tance from the surface, under the entire eastern portion of the county
was of great economic importance. A company was formed at St.
Clair about 1865 to make salt from brine, and a well was drilled on the
property afterward occupied by the Oakland Hotel, but although brine
was found and buildings erected, the plan did not prove successful and
it was not until the foresight and courage of Crocket McElroy demon-
strated by deep drilling the actual existence of the salt bed at INIarine
City that St. Clair county became aware of one of its greatest sources
of wealth,
St. Clair Flats and River
In the St. Clair flats, the county of St. Clair possesses an unusual
though not unique natural feature. It is unusual in that a delta such
as this is commonly formed at the mouth of a long river which has
brought down from long distances mud and silt which it deposits upon
coming into contact with the ocean. In this case it is at the mouth of
a river thirty miles long which itself is the outlet of a large lake which
does not contain silt in the ordinary sense, and takes and holds earth
of any kind in suspension only as the result of storms.
St. Clair river has an average breadth of about half a mile, and
except at the rapids, just below the entrance of the river, an average
current of about two and one-half miles per hour.
The banks are generally low below the middle of the township of
East China, and above that vary from 15 to 50 feet in height and are
of blue clay with yellow clay and sand above.
As the river approaches Algonac it sends one channel off upon the
Canadian side, which forms Walpole Island, and is named Chenal
Ecartc, or Side channel, commonly corrupted into Sny Cartey. This
probably marks the upper part of what was originally Lake St. Clair.
A little further down, the main river divides into two channels, the
North channel turning rather sharply to the Avestward, the other
named the South channel, continuing more in the course of the river.
The North channel is considerably the larger and deeper, and has the
stronger current. Al)out five miles from the turn, the ^liddle channel
*o^
28 HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY
branches off, turning to the. south from the North channel, and be-
tween it and the South channel lies Harsen's Island. Continuing to
the west it again branches off to the south into the Chenal a Bout Ronde
— commonly called Snj'bora channel — or Channel of the Round End.
Between this and the Middle channel lies Stromness or Dickinson
Island. Pursuing its course still further, the North channel opens into
Anchor Bay.
Improvements of River Channels
This channel was until the construction of the Ship canal by the
government, the one commonly used by shipping, although a bar at
Scene on St. Clair River, Ibbo to 1875
the mouth prevented any boats except those of light draft from going
through. It was not an uncommon thing in early days for a ship to
run aground upon the bar and be compelled to partially unload. In-
deed, upon a map of this locality, made in 1809 by Thomas Smith, a
surveyor for the British government, opposite the mouth of the chan-
nel are these words, ' ' Here vessels lighter to pass the bar, ' ' from which
fact the name Anchor Bay is derived.
The South channel, along which the international boundary line
was established in 1821, is more direct, and of ample depth — 30 to 40
feet, until approaching the lake proper, when it was so much shallower
that none except small boats could use it.
As early as 1834 the necessity of having the channel deepened and
improved was felt, and the legislative council memorialized congress
tc assist commerce by removing the bar. At that time, however, con-
gress could not be roused to activity in this direction. In 1856 General
Cass secured from congress an appropriation of $45,000 and with this
a channel 6,000 feet long, 150 feet wide, and 9 feet deep was made.
HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY 29
By this time the lake shipping was assuming quite respectable propor-
tions, and boats were increasing in size and draft, and in 1857 Senator
Zachariah Chandler introduced a bill in congress appropriating $55,000
to deepen this channel to 13 feet; the bill passed but was vetoed by
President Buchanan on the two grounds that the shipping itself ought
to bear the expense, and that it was unconstitutional.
Soon followed the Rebellion and for a time the money and energies
of the nation were directed elsewhere, and improvements of this char-
acter languished. In 1866, however, an appropriation was made to
secure a channel 300 feet wide and 13 feet in depth, and in 1872 the
plan was modified to give a depth of 16 feet. Again in 1886 the depth
was increased to 18 feet, and later it was given a depth of 20 feet to
make it a part of the great 20-foot channel. Dikes were formed on
each side of the dredged cut, the faces of which were supported by
sheet piling, the length of the dikes being 7,221 feet. In 1902 in order
to meet the demands of the greatly increased commerce, and to avoid
the serious consequences in stoppage of traffic which might follow a
collision in the single channel, funds were appropriated to build a
second channel 20 feet deep and 300 feet wide alongside and westward
of the existing channel. This new channel was opened in 1906. The
total cost of the channels from 1866 being $1,181,301.
That part of the county known as the Flats consists of the various
islands of all sizes and height above the water lying south of the North
channel. Various estimates have been made of the quantity of land
embraced in the Flats, but this amount depends so much upon the
height of water, and the strictness with which the different channels
and bays are outlined, that all estimates are misleading.
For many years this locality has been a favorite summer resort,
and its development in that direction has been limited chiefly by the
inability to obtain legal title, which is more fully described in another
chapter.
The state geological survey has made a thorough examination of
this delta, and reports as a summary of its investigations: That the
land area is being increased slowly by the deposit of fine sand and clay,
which materials are for the most part derived by the action of waves
on the shores of Lake Huron, with additions brought in by the rivers
tributary to the St. Clair, and with some material from the banks of
St. Clair river itself, and that it would require from 20,000 to 40,000
years to complete the filling up of Lake St. Clair with the exception of
one deep channel extending through from St. Clair river to Detroit
river.
This relieves the dwellers on the Flats of immediate danger, and
allows a reasonable time for the readjustment of boundary lines and
improvements.
CHAPTER V
FLORA OF THE COUNTY
Before the Pale Face Came — The Aggressive, Disturbing White
Man — Primitive Landsc^vpe View — Natural Growth S "wept
Away — Favorable Conditions . for Plant Life — Alleghanian
Faunal Area — Special Plant Species — Planting of Native Trees
— Proposed Public Reservation.
By Charles K. Dodge
lu our day perhaps one of the most difficult things for us to realize
fully is that Ave live in a new countrj'. Busily engaged in our daily
occupations for a living and deeply interested in the pursuit of happi-
ness, we are very liable not to notice particularly and partially to for-
get the changes that have been and are gradually taking place, although
often reminded of the real facts by our immediate ancestors. In look-
ing about we notice that nearly everywhere the original timber except
small patches is substantially removed and the land cleared up. Large
trees and the primitive forest have almost entirely' disappeared, leaving
quite without exception what is popularly known as "second growth."
The country is considered well settled, fields are cultivated, and agri-
culture on the whole is in a fair state of advancement. Busy cities
and villages have grown up. and every day we see around us the life,
activity and implements of what is known as advanced modern civiliza-
tion. Thus in so many ways our surroundings have somewhat of an
outward appearance of age. But in fact all around us even to a casual
observer, the evidence of the comparatively recent advent of the white
man is overwhelming. The numerous monuments and ear marks, not
yet wholly obliterated, showing this to be a new country, are perhaps
c[uite as convincing as written history.
Before the Pale Face Came
Comparatively speaking it was but a short time ago when St. Clair
county was densely covered with a primitive forest of large trees,
shrubbery and herbaceous vegetation, penetrated only by paths and
trails. It was what nature had made it, and this condition had no
doubt prevailed for hundreds, perhaps for thousands of years. Present
surface conditions have been forming since the last glacial age. Nearly
30
HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY 31
every species of plant had fought its way, sti'uggletl for existence and
finally become established where it could best maintain itself against
others and where the environment in every particular was most suit-
able and congenial. In the fierce contest for place and room the strong
had prevailed and taken possession. Plant life had long become settled
into a kind of equilibrium of existence. The Indian and our fauna
and flora are intimately connected. Our primitive native animals,
not yet having come in contact with the dreaded white man and his
destructive and murderous weapons, lived here and roametl at will in
the woods and on their borders, apparently with little fear of the In-
dian. Deer, elk, moose, otter, beaver, mink, muskrat, squirrels, bear,
the wolf, lynx, and wolverine were common. Sylvan game birds, the
turkey, partridge, and quail were numerous. The bald eagle, large
owls and hawks, building their nests in large trees, were not rare. The
wild pigeon, greedily devouring acorns and beechnuts and now believed
to be extinct, came by the million at the proper season. Ducks, wild
geese and other water loving birds feeding greedily on the natural
acj[uatic products fairly covered our clear and beautiful waters. Even
the graceful swan was a frequent visitor. Lakes, rivers and creeks were
filled with the finest and most delicious fish. The Indian, except when
at war with other red men, roamed over the country without restraint.
In fall and spring large fleets of birch bark canoes filled with shouting
aborigines, plied upon Lake Huron, Lake St. Clair and their connect-
ing streams. Among their favorite landings and abiding places were
the shores of Lake Huron and St. Clair river where the city of Port
Huron now stands, at Point Edward in Lambton county, Ontario, and
the high banks of Black river, where Fred A. Beard and David Beard
now live in the township of Clyde. The Indians were not then imbued
Avith civilized commercial avarice, nor did they indulge appreciably in
the destructive and exterminating processes of mere gain. Only a very
small portion of timber and other natural products were required and
taken for their uses. With their primitive needs, implements and
weapons, it was quite impossible to destroy the forests or exterminate
the game, fur animals, and ferocious sylvan beasts of the country.
Only such part of the natural products was taken as was actually needed
for present use and only so much game was killed or fish taken as was
necessary to supply actual wants. The red man having very prob-
ably through hundreds of years, may be ages, learned to limit his wants
mostly to what nature produced without human assistance, knew well
where to find the useful wild products. For his canoes he had taken
the bark of the Avhite birch, quite common here, dift'erent parts of
other trees and shrubs for his rude and temporary dwellings, used the
edible portions of other wild plants like the tubers of the wild bean,
sometimes called the groundnut, jack-in-the-pulpit. the corn of which,
although biting to the tongue of the white man. he knew how to pre-
pare for palatable food, and many medicinal plants having astringent,
laxative and tonic properties. The black walnut, butternut, hickory
nut, hazelnut, beechnut, huckleberries, raspberries, wild plum, and wild
cherries were delicious. Game and fish were always plentiful. For all
these natural products as for nearly every stream, lake and native
32 HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY
animal he had appropriate and euphonious names which have been
preserved to us only in part, a fact to be regretted. To him it appeared
beyond doubt that the Great Spirit had kindly provided for all his wants.
It was indeed quite natural for him to think and say, "The Sun is my
father, the Earth my mother, and on her bosom I love to repose. ' ' From
his standpoint this beautiful country had been created for and given to
him forever for his hunting grounds. Apparently he lived in perfect
harmony with his natural surroundings.
So far as is known very little of the land in our vicinity was cul-
tivated previous to the advent of the pale face. The conditions of
drainage then were such that there was little danger from devastating
forest fires. All nature here so far as living things were concerned
was in a comparative state of equilibrium. The use and destruction
of what Mother Earth produced were not then far outstripping her
ability to furnish. There was at that time no occasion to intrude the
present popular idea of conservation.
The Aggressive, Disturbing White Man
And so, as it were only a short time ago, right here in the land of
comparative comfort and so many beautiful homes, primitive life went
on in its own natural way, apparently without being materially affected
by extraordinary and disturbing outside forces. In the highest and
truest philosophical language of modern thought, "the fittest survived."
But on the coming of a different race, of men with inventive genius, of
men with an intense desire for gain, willing to suffer deprivation and
severe hardships and even to endanger life in order to acquire wealth,
an immense change took place. The poor red man, unskilled in the
ways of bargaining, without the real knowledge of the true value of
his country, quite unable for the most part to withstand the accom-
panying vices of civilization, and not fully foreseeing the profound
consequences of his acts, traded away his lands and privileges for "fire-
water," trinkets, mere promises, and small sums of money, surely a
very inadequate compensation in exchange for this extensive and beau-
tiful country. As many cities and villages below this region began to
appear, the best lumber was in great demand and along these Great
Lakes and their connecting waters, transportation was comparatively
economical. As a natural consequence the noble white pine, white oak,
and other timbers became valuable and were felled without further
thought than mere gain, seeming quite proper at the time as the forests
of Michigan were then considered inexhaustible. Our great men had
not then made plain and urged the principle, necessity and duty of
conservation, and the methods of lumbering were wasteful in the ex-
treme. Here and there small tracts were being cleared for general farm-
ing. On the lumbered portions the parts of trees not then considered
valuable and their tops were left to decay. Systems of partial drainage
after a time began to be inaugurated. All the activities of the white
man tended directly to disturb seriously the equilibrium of life and
existence so long established by nature. As a natural and we might
say necessary result devastating forest fires from time to time visited
HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY 33
particular spots or swept over the whole country. In many places
like the swamps near Capac, a complete change took place, every tree,
shrub and herbaceous plant having been destroyed, leaving a bare tract
for the appearance of another race of plants. AVithout doubt in this
way many species of native plants have become lost forever to this
locality. Under the influence of progress and civilization, even in its
early stages, which so changed natural conditions and the superficial
appearance of the country, the poor Indian, now a sad relic of his
former active and brave ancestors, and at present treated as a legal
infant, quite disappeared from view, like so many of the native plants
and animals, and is found now only living here and there on small
spots of his former extensive land doled out to him by the white
man. Such immense changes in human, native animal, and plant life
are really tragic and incredible were we not by the very best of evi-
dence certain of their historic truth. And these great events have
come about in our very midst. But yesterday as it were, our immediate
ancestors struggled, suffered and succeeded in this new part of the
world and were instrumental in bringing about such a radical revo-
lution. The history of our fauna, flora and the Indian in North
America and particularly in our county is no doubt only a slightly
variant account of the history of numberless races and localities all
over the world. The weaker races, meaning those who cannot defend
themselves successfully against superior numbers or superior methods
of warfare are overcome, undermined and taken advantage of through
their ignorance and imperfections, and are absorbed or disappear, like
weaker plants before the more vigorous and stronger. In primitive times
no land was usually allotted to a conquered inferior race except as slaves
of the conquerors. Such kindness and partial justice is a late or modern
humane idea.
Primitive Landscape View
No doubt one of the most striking and interesting features of the
earth's land surface is its plant covering, much of it pleasing to the
eye and beautiful quite beyond poetic description. The development
of our native vegetation as a whole is indeed very grand, but a few in-
dividual members are worthy of special mention. The pitcher plant
and lady's slipper, the one so curiously formed and often beyond reach
in swampy ground, the other, exquisitely beautiful, the very queen of
our orchids, usually hidden away in a quiet and shady nook and out-
of-the-way place, as it were, modest, blushing, shy and shrinking from
the gaze of the multitude, — these, our noble trees and many others of
our beautiful plants were the admiration and wonder of the first Euro-
pean visitors. The extremely pleasing appearance of our primitive
landscape can hardly be overdrawn or in contemplating it can the im-
agination mount too high. To roam about in such a wealth of plant
life whether on river bottom, plain or hillside, to walk along the streams
and among giant pines, to observe such sylvan life as then most every-
where existed, to hear the drum of the partridge, the coo of the mourn-
ing dove, the song of the woods thrush, and the brown thrush, the
Vol. 1—3
34 HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY
sudden whir of the woodcock, the shrill call for "bob white" and the
varied notes of other living things, to see the wild pigeon, chewink, fox
sparrow, bobolink, scarlet tanager, the bright-eyed and bushy-tailed
squirrel, the graceful motions of water birds, the vines and exquisite
flowers, until then without a civilized admirer, — it is all these the skil-
ful painter has tried to represent on canvas, and the poet to recount
as best he can in measured lines. The actual reality as carved out by
evolution far excels as would be expected all human but partially ef-
fectual efforts to portray by painting or words. . This is a view of our
primitive condition that many will linger to think and philosophize
over.
Natural Growth Swept Away
But there is another view in this connection of perhaps much deeper
human interest to us of the present day. To satisty even our ordinary
wants, all this wild and attractive scenery, all tliis natural growth, had
to be disturbed and substantially swept away. AVe were compelled to
fell the forest, clear and cultivate the land, raise crops and other things
so necessary to our present condition of life. Fields of grain, orchards
and pastures took the place of these wild productions. Roads and com-
fortable homes gradually covered the land. In doing these necessary
things, however, the natural and congenial homes of many of our na-
tive birds and mammals were quite destroyed and their food supply
seriously curtailed. Their disappearance or flight to other regions to
get food, to nest, and escape the disturl)ing influences of the white man,
became a necessity. Those insects upon which these birds fed and kept
reduced to a harmless minimum, suddenly and vastly multiplied beyond
control, not only injuring seriously the lialanee left of the wild plants,
but ravenously attacking cultivated vegetation and becoming a menace
to the successful raising of crops, especially fruits. To counteract these
evils successfully has indeed severely taxed the patience and ingenuity
of the white man. At present the wild plum, wild cherry, hazelnut,
thorn apple, and vegetation in general, even trees, are attacked and
extinction apparently' threatened by moths and numerous other trouble-
some and dangerous insects, the natural food of the birds we have so
completely driven away. So much has man, though calling himself
civilized, yet to learn ! Toda}^ he does one thing. Tomorrow his former
act is regretted and recalled. His true course is verj' probably to seek
and rely upon scientific knowledge.
Favorable Conditions for Plant Life
In early times only general references were made to the wild plants
of our county and this part of Michigan, botanists and other close and
scientific observers not having visited here till much later. It is there-
fore very fitting that in a general history of St. Clair county its flora
should, even at this late date, receive some notice. It is a new departure
in local history. Our county is very happily situated to harbor a large
number of individual plants. We have all the natural habitats of vege-
HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY 35
table life from the extremely dry, flat, and sandy land and sandy ridges
as along some of the streams and the Lake Huron shore, to the marshy
and very wet as exists about Lake St. Clair and on the west side. On
the east side north of the city of Port Huron, it has about 12 miles of
Lake Huron shore, consisting of sand dunes, low wet strips between
ridges and damp rich woods; it extends over 30 miles south along the
banks of St. Clair river if Harsen's Island is included, and at the
south it includes the delta islands formed by the mouths of St. Clair
river westerly' of the main channel and borders on one of the mouths,
the North branch, with a winding course about fifteen miles, where the
ground throughout is generally flat, low and includes a large area of
shallow water. On the west next to Lapeer county, there are extensive
marshes and swamps formerly covered for the most part with tamarack
and as has been reported some spruce. There are no prominent hills
or rock exposures in the county. Black river, the largest stream, com-
ing from the north, flows nearly parallel with the Lake Huron shore,
making a turn to the east near Wadhams. Into this just below Beard's
mill in the township of Clyde flows a considerable stream called Mill
creek, coming from Lapeer county on the west. These two streams,
sinuous and winding in their courses, have deeply worn into the land
surface creating in many places high and precipitous banks, often as
is reported, over 80 feet high, which are roughly cut and jagged by
wooded ravines. Along Black river near Beard's mill there is a narrow
flood plain and rich bottom lands still partially covered with a portion
of the original forest. Pine river and Belle river flowing from the
northwest reach St. Clair river, the first at the city of St. Clair, the
second at Marine City. Along the lower banks of these streams there
is much sandy land. A large area of flat sandy land also extends
through the townships of St. Clair, Kimball and the lower part of Clyde,
all formerly covered well with white pine. In many parts there are
considerable tracts of rolling land at one time, and now partially, cov-
ered with beech, maple, oak and some pine. In early days the county
was considered one of the finest and most valuable pine districts, and
the thousands of old stumps still seen in place and fences at this date
prove the fact that this noble tree was abundant throughout except
perhaps in the southern part. There was also a large quantity of white
oak. These two kinds of timber were the substantial foundation of
the first active business in this new country. Within the memory of
many now living, the streams before mentioned, and even smaller ones,
for their whole lengths, were in the spring filled with logs. The de-
mand for lumber and staves was so great that the destruction of the
primitive forest was soon accomplished. At this time, December, 1911,
very little pine and oak remain. The last piece of pine of any size,
standing on and near the high banks of Black river above Beard's mill,
was recently sold and cut. A few small tracts of beech, maple, birch,
ash and elm exist, but even these are about to disappear. The largest
area still standing is a piece known as Bacon's woods west of the city
of St. Clair in the neighborhood of Adair. A large sawmill has lately
been erected there and even this piece, during the winter of 1911-12,
is to disappear forever.
36 HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY
Alleghanian Faunal Area
Through careful observation and study of the distribution of our
fauna and flora, experts have been able with considerable accuracy to
divide our whole country into life zones and crop zones. As nature
by means of its products points out for each locality almost with uner-
ring hand what is best fitted to grow, so such experts by inspection
can readily sa}^ without the long and expensive methods by experi-
ment, what cultivated crops will very probably best succeed. Our
county, according to such division, comes within the Austral zone and
Alleghanian faunal area. C. Hart Merriam in Bulletin No. 10, U. S.
Department of Agriculture, at page 20, says : "In the Alleghanian
faunal area the chestnut, walnut, oaks and hickories of the South meet
and overlap the beech, birch, hemlock and sugar maple of the North.
The southern mole and cottontail rabbit meet the northern star-nosed
and Brewer's moles and varying hare, and the southern bob-white,
Baltimore oriole, blue bird, catbird, chewiuk, thrasher and wood thrush
live in or near the haunts of the bobolink, solitary vireo and hermit
and Wilson's thrush. Several native nuts of which the beechnut, but-
ternut, chestnut, hazelnut, hickory nut and walnut are most important,
grow wild in this belt." After years of careful observation it is found
these words of Mr. Merriam are almost literally true. We live right
where the northern species of plants, birds and many other animals
meet and co-mingle with those of the south.
'o'
Special Plant Species
To ascertain with any degree of accuracy the approximate number
of pJant species in any given locality, requires considerable time and
attention. It is in fact a work of many years and of many hands. The
earliest kno^^^l collector and student of botany here was Dr. Zina
Pitcher, an army surgeon, stationed at Fort Gratiot over 65 years ago.
And it is perhaps an interesting bit of local history to note that a native
thistle known only about the upper three of the Great Lakes, growing
m shore and dune sand, has been named in his honor and is now known
as Pitcher's thistle, Circium Pitcheri. Some time previous to 1860,
Prof. Alexander Winchell of the University of Michigan, while on a
geological expedition, stopped here a few days and collected many
specimens. About 1890 Mr. A. F. Foerste, while teaching near Adair,
examined the plants of that part of our county. The writer began the
stud}^ of our flora in 1876 and since 1892 has spent much time in
searching out all plants growing wild within our limits and their
comparative distribution. Much valuable assistance was received from
W. S. Cooper who visited at Algonac for two or more summers, from
the Rev. J. W. Stacey who was for several years stationed at New
Baltimore, Macomb county, and from Thomas M. Danger of the city
of Port Huron, who has given much assistance and encouragement.
Many of the best and most expert botanists in North America have
rendered valuable aid in the examination of difficult species.
In treating of our flora it must be remembered that only flowering
HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY 37
plants, ferns and their allies are referred to, mosses, lichens and fungi
not being considered. Keeping this explanation in view it may be of
some interest to speak of our flora something as follows: Up to this
time there have been found within the limits of St. Clair county, 1,193
species and 67 varieties of plants growing wild. Of these, 971 are na-
tive and 222 introduced, 64 of the varieties native and 3 introduced.
These are distributed among 39 orders, 122 families and 464
genera. This statement is at least a close approximation to the actual
facts. In the last Michigan Flora recently issued with additions, the
number of species and varieties mentioned for the whole state is 2,365,
and it is believed that a fair estimate at the present time for the whole
state is not far either way from 2,500 species and varieties. It will be
seen, therefore, that within the limits of our county more than one-
half as many are found as are known to exist at present in the whole
state.
It will be impossible anywhere within the limits allowed for this
subject even to mention all of the several interesting things about the
individual members of our flora. Perhaps our observations here should
be confined mostly to fairly well known species. Of the ferns there
are 21 species and 2 varieties. In the pine family we have the white
and Norway pines, black spruce, tamarack, white cedar, hemlock, juni-
per and red cedar. Tamarack swamps were formerly abundant, more
particularly in the west and northwest, but a small one existed at one
time within the limits of the city of Port Huron near the intersection
of Jenkinson and Eighth streets. The tamarack now is becoming rare,
drainage, fires, and the woodman having nearly brought about its ex-
tinction. The black spruce is said to have been abundant in spots at
one time in the swamp west of Capac. A few specimens were noticed
in recent years on section 16 of the township of Fort Gratiot, but it is
very probable the last one has disappeared. A few years ago the late
A. R. Avery called the writer's attention to red cedar on the farm of
Solomon Pierce, section 15, township of Kenockee. On investigation
it appeared that when Mr. Pierce settled on the farm over 50 years
ago, many large red cedar logs, some of them 18 inches and more in
diameter, then lay on the ground apparently having fallen many years
before. Subsequently on making a search two small red cedars were
found near by on the high banks of Mill creek, which he transferred
to his yard, only one living. The living one is believed to be the only
native red cedar left in the county. A few hemlocks, very beautiful
trees, still remain, but no doubt are doomed to extermination. White
cedar is plentiful and thrives near the Lake Huron shore, but large
trees long ago disappeared. Just north of the city of Port Huron and
even within the limits of the city Norway pine reaches its southern limit
on this side of the state. There are 117 species of grasses and one
variety, 22 of these being introduced. Many of them are fine pasture
grasses, the most prominent one being Kentucky ])lue grass, the com-
mon grass of our pastures, roadsides and lawns. The sand bur, bear-
ing one of the most cruel burs and justly regarded a menace by women
and children, is now a very common roadside weed on sandy ground,
and a serious pest in sandy pastures. The reed, our largest native
38 HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY
grass, and very striking at a distance, looking much like broomcorn,
is common about Lake St. Clair. The famous Indian rice, perhaps,
often as large as the reed, is abundant in shallow water about the same
lake. The sedges, growing mostly in low, wet land, many of them val-
uable pasture plants, and popularly known as grasses, number 116
species and 25 varieties. Of the lily family 30 species are known still
to exist. Two noted plants of this family, the wild onion (Allium
cernuum) and the chive, reported as noticed here formerly, have not
been seen in recent j^ears and are probably extinct. The wild leek, so
common in damp, rich woods in early days, and then a menace to but-
termaking in spring, is now becoming rare. There are 23 orchids, one
of the most beautiful members of which, the showy lady's slipper
(Cypripedium hirsutum), is nearly' extinct. We also have 16 species
of willow and four varieties, six poplars and one variety, three hick-
ories, two hazelnuts, at least three birches, six oaks, three elms, three
ashes and one variety, eighteen violets, five maples and one variety and
one hundred and thirty-seven species of the composite family and nine
varieties. The goldenrods, eighteen species, and two varieties, and the
asters, fifteen species and two varieties, are among the very attractive
members of this family. The pin oak (Quercus palustris) is known in
Michigan only on the east side of the state in spots from ]\Ionroe to
Adair, west of the city of St. Clair. On the delta islands and in wet
ground near Algonac it is the dominant tree. The black walnut, as a
native tree, is becoming rare. Formerly on section 32, town 7 north,
range 17 east, now a part of the township of Port Huron, there was a
large grove of native chestnuts, the most northern point known for
that tree in this region. All have disappeared except five trees on the
high right bank of Black river.
A popular subdivision of our wood}' plants is into trees and shrubs,
not a very scientific one, for the reason that any small woody plant may
be denominated a shrub, but after growing l3eyond a certain size is
very properly called a tree. Taking, however, for this purpose Dr. W.
J. Beal's definitions in the last ^Michigan Flora, that a shrub is a woody
plant less than one foot, and a tree one foot and more in diameter, St.
Clair county has fifty-seven species of trees and one variety and one
hundred and fifteen shrubs. There are forty-nine well recognized
medicinal plants admitted into the U. S. Pharmacopoea, and one hun-
dred and nine others often used in domestic remedies, many of them
for sale by druggists. Among our plants now growing wild, one hun-
dred and forty-one may be regarded as Aveeds, of which ninety-two or-
iginally came from Europe, forty-seven from other parts of North and
Tropical America, and two from Asia. The climbing plants or vines
are poison ivy, bittersweet, a honeysuckle (Lonicera glaucescens). moon-
seed, wild bean (Apios tuberosa), hedge bindweed, field bindweed, wild
yam-root, hop, fringed black bindweed (Polygonum cilinode), halbard-
leaved tear-thumb, climbing false buckwheat, black bindweed, night-
shade (Solanum dulcamara), matrimony vine, climbing fumitory, vir-
gin's bower (clematis), Virginia creeper, summer grape, river-bank
grape, wild balsam apple, one seeded bur cucumber, hispid greenbrier
(Smilax hispida), and rough bedstraw (Galium asprellum). Other
HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY 39
species of Galiun often take the form of vines, as does also the car-
rion-flower. There are two plants poisonous to some and not to others,
the poison ivy, abundant nearly everywhere, and poison sumach, a
shrub mostly in swampy ground. Water hemlock (Cicuta maculata),
very common here in damp meadows, prairie-like ground, and damp
open woods, is reported to be one of the most poisonous plants in North
America, and when the tuberous root is eaten and retained on the
stomach, no antidote or remedy is known to prevent its fatal effects.
Its root, very aromatic in taste and smell, is said to be mistaken often
for that of the sweet cicely, although the two plants do not much re-
semble each other. The tuberous root of the bulb-bearing water hem-
lock, quite abundant in marshy ground, is also said to be very dan-
gerous. There are a number of other plants with poisonous properties
which it is best to know and perhaps avoid. Among these are the three
introduced species, the poison hemlock and the two stramoniums, all
quite frequently seen about cultivated grounds and in out-of-the-way
places. Recently two children at Alpena were fatally poisoned from
eating the seed of the stramonium.
Planting of Native Trees
When studying the flora of any locality, many questions arise of
great interest to humanity in general. It seems to the writer it has
been established beyond cavil that a country cannot be stripped of its
trees, shrubs and herbaceous plants without the greatest danger to its
welfare. Accordingly, the planting of trees to counteract somewhat
such evils should be constantly taught, urged and encouraged. It is a
matter about which, in this country, there is a widespread and almost
universal popular ignorance and unpardonable apathy. Here we can
only hint at one way of starting a very important work. In our county
there are hundreds of miles of public road along which native trees
might be planted without appreciable injury to crop cultivation. Occa-
sionally an energetic man with advanced modern ideas and a com-
mendable sense of adaptation, beauty and usefulness, has set out road
trees which have become a fine object lesson for others. But it is a
fact that a large majority of his neighbors will, during a great portion
of their lives, pass by almost daily without apparently giving such
beautiful trees a thought. Popular movement in this direction, as
along many other very important lines, is so slow and the necessity for
uniform methods is so great that it will yet probably result as perhaps
it should in government action and control. Our general government
at Washington is attempting to inculcate advanced ideas, not only in
tree planting, but in all matters pertaining to agriculture and the gen-
eral betterment of the country. The writer has now been over much of
St. Clair, Sanilac, Huron, Tuscola, Lapeer and Macomb counties in
Michigan and Lampton and Essex counties in Ontario. IMost all our
native and introduced trees in one place and another have been noticed
along highways and nearly all are at least partially a success. The
very best of information and education along these lines is near at
hand and to be had. The people in general must become interested if
40 HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY
tree planting is to be a success. The very best of material is at our
doors. Every one, even with a small piece of land, can have, if he de-
sires, his little tree nursery or go to the woods and get what is needed.
After many years of observation, within the territory mentioned, it has
been concluded that for cities and villages, our native maples and elms
are the best street trees, that the introduced Norway maple is very
goodj that for road trees in the country, if set out merely to be orna-
mental maples and elms are perhaps first choice, that oaks and many
other native trees are a success. However, it is believed to be very
proper on the whole to set out along our country roads our native nut
bearing trees, the black Avalnut, butternut, chestnut and hickory nut.
These iare all very beautiful trees and produce delicious nuts. In the
western part of Lapeer county many of these, especially the hickory
nut, have grown up along roadsides in abundance and are a success.
It should be remembered that poplars and willows for such purposes
should be avoided. We have no land in our county so dry and poor
that most of our native trees will not grow and thrive in it. If under
intelligent management we gradually set out trees, so many everj' year,
St. Clair county, including its cities and villages, would within twenty-
five or thirty years, become one of the most beautiful counties in the
world.
Proposed Public Reservation
Very close to this subject lies the great modern question of the con-
servation of our natural resources. By a very slow process nature has
brought together and developed all we have. The very meat of this
idea of conservation is to use with moderation, not to waste, and to
preserve what has been developed and seemingly laid up for us hy
Mother Earth. Perhaps no general human movement of the past or
recent date is so pregnant with matters of importance and benefit to
humanity. The needs and strenuous activity of men tending to destroy
the natural balance in the development of life conditions already estab-
lished, something should be done to counteract this evil so far as pos-
sible. To carry out this great idea, regulation in the use of forests, and
the setting aside of land for public reservations, are heartily recom-
mended by our greatest men. A public reservation of 3,000 or 4,000
acres in one piece for St. Clair county would not be too large. It is
believed that such a piece would soon more than pay for itself in gen-
eral benefits over and over again. It should not be at all ornamented
like village and city parks, but left substantially to itself where nature
can run riot at its will. Let us have in every country at least one spot
where trees, shrubs and herbaceous plants can thrive and not only for
the most part be let alone, but encouraged by man, where our native
birds and other small animals, beneficial and necessary to our welfare,
can have a congenial home fully protected against the boy with his
small weapons, and against the hunter, his dog, and his murderous gun.
These little and interesting living things of the forest love their native
haunts and were thought of by intelligent men more than 3,000 years
ago. If we are not wise and neglect to keep up a life balance, there
HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY 41
will, no doubt, hereafter be a sad reckoning and the coming punish-
ment will be unerring and just. The present condition of many coun-
tries in both Europe and Asia, where once the land was fertile and
dense populations existed, is a fair and certain warning. There are
many other things to be thought of as well as the sowing of seeds
and the reaping of crops. It is often well to look somewhat to the
future. As time goes on and no precaution is taken there may be sow-
ing but very little reaping.
The very best place for such a proposed reservation in this county
is in the township of Clyde where INIill creek joins Black river. Here
conditions are such that most all species of both plants and animals
of our county, if not of the whole of the Lower Peninsula, could find a
congenial home and be made comfortable. Such a place left to itself
for a number of years and under intelligent management would not
only be a benefit to ourselves, but to our successors, a sight worth see-
ing by lovers of nature, a place where the scarlet tanager, one of the
most beautiful of our feathered tribes, and other birds beneficial to
man, could feed, nest, fly and flit about from tree to tree in peace,
where the woodcock could raise her young unmolested by the hunter
and his dog, where the partridge could drum at will, and all living
things enjoy fully their share of life.
CHAPTER YI
OUR FIRST FA^IILIES— THE INDIANS
The Algonquin Family — The Iroquois ant) Hurons — The "Neu-
trals" Destroyed — Indians of the St. Clair Region — Indian
Reservations and Leaders — ]\Ioun"d Builders and ]\Iounds.
When the Europeans first came to the Athmtic shores of North
America, they found in possession a dark skinned people ^vhom they
called Indians, in the mistaken idea that the search for a short route to
the East had been successful, and that those people were inhabitants
of outlying parts of India. It needed but little investigation to dis-
cover that the Indians, though having some resemblances, differed
greatly among themselves in language, physical characteristics and de-
gree of civilization.
The name Indian is not only inappropriate, but leads to confusion
with the actual inhabitants of India, and for that reason it has been
suggested that the name Amerind, composed of the first parts of the
words America and India be coined, and used to designate the American
Indians.
Upon the basis of language resemblances and differences, the In-
dians have been divided into fifty-five great families, some of which
are now extinct. In our description of the Great Lake Region we are
concerned with but two, of these families, the Algonquian and the
Iroquoian.
The Algonquian Family
The Algonquian family spread over a larger area than any other ;
they extended from Newfoundland to the Rocky ^Mountains, and from
Churchill river to the coast of North Carolina. They included in the
extreme east, the Abnakis, the Micmacs of Nova Scotia, the Massachu-
setts, Narragansetts, and Delawares ; in the center the Sauks and Foxes,
IMiamis, Potawatomies ; in the north the Ottawas, Chippewas and Mis-
sissaugas ; in the west the Blackfoot, Arrapaho. and Cheyenne tribes,
and there were in addition other tribes or nations properly included
within this family. In endeavoring to classify the tribes now extinct,
it must be remembered that the early travelers were generally ignorant
of any basis of division, and from the ease and rapidity with which
the Indians changed locations, the same tribe might often be designated
42
HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY 43
by different names. It is only in the case of those tril)es which were
sedentary or nearly so in their habits, that we can feel much confidence
in the early descriptions.
The Iroquois and Hurons
The Iroquoian family was much more compact, and not nearly so
numerous as the Algonquian. It included the Five Nations in New
York (the Mohawks, Oneidas, Onondagas, Cayugas and Senecas), com-
monly called the Iroquois, the Huron, Tobacco and Neutral Nations in
Ontario, the Tuscaroras and Cherokees, with a few others.
The Iroquoian tribes were sedentary and agricultural and generally
noted for their skill in fortification and house building, as well as their
ferocity and endurance in fighting. The Five Nations furnished about
the only example known of a real Indian confederation, formed prob-
ably about 1470, and its results were very important.
When the French first came up the St. Lawrence river in 1534, they
found both banks above Quebec inhabited by an Iroquoian people, but
seventy-four years later, when Champlain established Quebec they were
all gone, and Algonquins were the only Indians to be seen in that
locality.
Early in the time of Champlain 's leadership, he came into hostile
conflict with the Iroquois, and this produced momentous consequences
upon the development of the interior, around the Great Lake region,
and on the outcome of the English and French rivalry for the control
of the Indian trade.
At the time of Champlain 's coming to take charge of French in-
terests in New France, the Five Nations occupied all central New York,
and west nearly to Niagara river, the Hurons occupied the country at
the lower end of Georgian bay where they had villages and cultivated
considerable land; west and south of them were the Petuns or Tobacco
Nation, and south and east of the latter, extending from St. Clair
river through to Niagara river, were the Neutral Nation.
Although related in blood and language to the Iroquois, the Hurons
had been from time immemorial at deadly enmity with them, and this
finally in 1648-9 involved their practical annihilation as a powerful
people, and their being divided and scattered, some incorporated with
their victors and some after long and devious wanderings, through
many years in the country northwest of IMichigan, coming to settle
near Detroit and in northern Ohio.
The Neutrals Destroyed
The Neutrals had for many years successfully maintained neutrality
between the Iroquois and Hurons, but not long after the latter 's gen-
eral defeat, they too were attacked by the Iroquois and their power
broken in 1651.
During all this time the lower peninsula of Michigan had been oc-
cupied by various Algonquian tribes; the Potawatomies, Sauks, Foxes,
Miamis, and in the northern part, Chippewas and Ottawas. The oldest
44 HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY
map noAv known of this region, the map of Nicholas Sanson of 1650,
was largely based upon the Jesuit Relations, the published accounts of
the Jesuit priests among the Indians, and probably also to some extent
upon other information not now known. This map, the first to show
all the Great Lakes, indicates the Neutral Nation east of St. Clair
and Detroit rivers, and south of Saginaw bay in the Michigan penin-
sula, the Nation of Fire or Potawatomies.
The edition of Sanson's map made, in 1657 indicates knowledge of
the Iroquois war with the Neutrals as the latter nation no longer appears,
but just west of the head of St. Clair river are the Couacronon, and be-
tween Saginaw bay and Lake Huron the Ariatoeronon, with the Pota-
watomies in the center of the peninsula as before. In 1660 Du Creux
published in Latin a history of Canada, and accompanied it with a
map, somewhat more full in its details of this region than any pre-
ceding. Just west of St. Clair river are indicated three tribes, As-
sistoius, Ondatouius, Teorouius. In the district east of Saginaw Bay
appear the names E. Kandechiondius, and Schenkioetontius.
In 1674 another map by Sanson was published and in this appears
Avest of Lake St. Clair the Couaerouon, making it probable that in the
map of 1657 the "c" is a mistake for "e."
The people "Assistoius" of the Creuxius ma]) are undoubtedly the
Fire Nation or Potawatomies, who must have been very numerous at
the time of the coming of the French. In the Jesuit Relation of 1643,
Pere Lallemant, who was writing from the country of the Ilurons, says :
"These peoples of the Neutre Nation are always at war with those of
the Nation of Fire, who are still further distant from us. They went
there last summer to the numl)er of 2,000 and attacked a village, well
protected by pallisades and strongly defended by 900 warriors, who
Avithstood the assault. Finally they carried it after a siege of ten days.
They killed many on the spot and took 800 captives, men, women and
children. After having burned seven of the best warriors, they put
out the eyes and girdled the mouths of all the old men whom they after-
wards abandoned to their own guidance, in order that they might then
drag out a miserable life. Such is the scourge that depopulates all
these countries, for their wars are but wars of extermination. This
Nation of Fire alone is more populous than all the Neutre Nation, all
the Hurons, and all the Iroquois, enemies of the Hurons put together.
It consists of a large number of villages wherein is spoken the Algon-
quin language, which prevails still further on."
It seems probable that the Ondatouius was another band or tribe of
the same nation. The Teoronius and E. Kandechiondius people have
not been identified. The Schenkioetontius were the Foxes. It is pos-
sible that the Ariatoeronon of the Sanson map are the Potawatomies,
but the Couaeronon are still unidentified.
The dispersal and destruction of the Neutrals by the Iroquois in
1651 was not so complete as that of the Hurons a few years before,
but sufficient to destroy them as a united force.
In the Journal of the Jesuit Fathers for 1653 under date of July
31, it is said: "On the 31st, a canoe from Three Rivers arrives which
brings us the news of the arrival of three canoes from the country of
HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY 45
the Hurons. * * * These seven savages have brought news that all
the Algonquin Nations are assembled with what remains of the Tobacco
Nation and of the Neutre Nation, at A, Otonatendie, three days' jour-
ney above the Sault Skia,e toward the south. Those of the Tobacco
Nation have wintered at Tea,onto'rai. The Neutres to the number
of 800 at Sken'chio,e toward Te,o'chanontian. These two nations are
to betake themselves next autumn to A,otonatendie, where even now
they number a thousand men."
The name of the wintering place of the Tobacco Nation is the
Iroquoian word for Mackinac, and that of the Neutres means the place
of the Foxes and is probably somewhere in the eastern part of the
lower Michigan peninsula. Teo chanontian is another form for the
same name as "Teuehsa Grondie, " the title of a long epic poem by
Levi Bishop of Detroit relating to the Detroit river. The word has a
number of different forms, and means the place of many beaver dams.
Upon Evans' map of 1755 which was regarded at the time as the most
accurate map in existence of the territory it covered, the word appears
under the form Tiiuxsonruntie, and extends along the west side of
Detroit river, Lake St. Clair and St. Clair river. In the famous
Mitchell map of 1755 the name appears along^the west side of St. Clair
river.
Detroit has unjustly appropriated this word to itself and the De-
troit river, and by many writers references in the old French authors
to the entire district between Lake Huron and Lake Erie have been
used as if they referred specially to the City of Detroit and vicinity,
while in fact until some time after the settlement by Cadillac in 1701 the
word "detroit," meanine strait, was used by the original writers to desig-
nate the entire water channel from Lake Huron to Lake Erie; the "de-
troit of Lake Huron," the "detroit of Lake Erie," being phrases often
found.
From the earliest time this immediate region was noted for its
beaver. LaHontan, who spent part of the years 1687-8 at Fort St.
Joseph, at the entrance of St. Clair river, produced a map which he
attached to a book published by him in 1709, and this map has near
Fort St. Joseph the words, "Beaver hunting of the friends of the
French." This map also has on the western side of Lake St. Clair
Aouiltanons, who later in the southwestern part of Michigan and
northern Ohio became known as Weas ; they were a branch of the
Miamis. At the making of the Treaty of Greenville in 1795 by Gen-
eral Wayne with all the Indians with whom the United States had
been at war in the Northwest Territory, Little Turtle, a leading Miami
chief, was one of the active participants and at one of the council meet-
ings he said that his forefathers kindled the first fire at the detroit,
thereby claiming to have been the original occupants of that district,
and Ihis claim was apparently conceded by Missas a Chippewa chief
from St. Clair river ; also a participant, who said that the great calumet
of peace which he presented did not come from the little lake (prob-
ably Lake St. Clair) but from the great Lake Superior to the north,
from which their great chiefs and warriors came. These claims are in
46 HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY
accordance with the LaHontan map, and the fact that the Chippewas
were comparatively late comers into this locality.
After the dispersal of the Neuters, the Iroquois were free to direct
their attention to the Algonquian nations or such portions as might be
remaining in the Michigan peninsula. It will be remembered that the
Neuters had long been bitter enemies of the Potawatomies, Sauks and
Foxes, and had in 1642 administered to them a crushing defeat. In
1666 the Sauks and Foxes are found at La Pointe in the upper penin-
sula, and the Potawatomies around Green bay.
Evidence of the old hostility and the conflicts in this vicinity are
found in the names of two rivers. Clinton and Cass rivers, the former
name of which was Huron. The Indian name of each of these streams
was Nottawayseepee, Nottaway or Nadoweg, an Algonquin word strict-
ly meaning adder, and was applied by them to their enemies. Seepee
means river, thus the name of the stream meaning river of our enemies,
probably indicates the place of some conflict with the Neuters, and
when the name thus given came long afterwards to be translated into
English, under the impression that "Nottaway" meant to the Algon-
quin, the Huron-Iroquois, the name became the Huron river, when
properly it should have been the Neutral river, as the Hurons were
never in this section of country.
Indians op the St. Clair Region
When Cadillac established Detroit in 1701 he introduced a great
change in the method of treatment of the Indians. Hitherto the out-
lying posts had not been encouraged by the French authorities, but the
Indians had been taught to bring their peltry to Montreal as in this
way a much closer control could be kept over the trade. Cadillac
encouraged the Indians of all tribes to come and settle near his fort,
and he promised to protect them from their active enemies, the Iro-
quois, who in their forays had penetrated into ^Wisconsin, the Upper
Peninsula of Alichigan, and as far as the ]\Iississippi. One result of
this movement on the part of Cadillac was the bringing into this region
a new nation of the Algonquian family, the Chippewas. or at first a
nation closely allied to them, the Mississaugas ; these people, when the
French first came to Lake Huron, occupied a portion of the north shore
of the lake, and in the early part of the eighteenth century, gradually
drifted in and occupied the country formerly occupied by the Neutrals.
In 1736 a report of the Indian tribes connected with the French, under
the heading "Lake St. Clair, which leads to Lake Huron," states, "At
the end of the little Lake St. Clair there is a small village of Missis-
sauges which numbers sixty men," and as in this case by men is meant
warriors or fighting men there would probably be 300 or 350 people.
All maps after that time show Mississaugas located east of St. Clair
river.
As early as 1688 the Hurons who were left in the Ontario peninsula
complained to the French governor that the Mississaugas had taken
their beaver hunting grounds and desired him to remove them.
LaHontan, in the map accompanying his "New Voyages to North
HISTORY OP ST. CLAIR COUNTY 47
America," shows as the only tribe adjacent to Lake St. Clair on the
west of the Aouittanons, a Miami tribe. In a list of the savage nations
of Canada, he locates the ]\Iississanoas and the "Outchipoues Alias
Saulters, " or Chippewas, along Lake Huron. In 1702 Cadillac reports
that the Saulteurs and Mississaugas had united in forming a village
on the river. It therefore seems evident that the Chippewas were com-
paratively late comers in this region. They probably worked down the
west shore of Lake Huron from the LTpper Peninsula, and there is a
tradition of a desperate conflict between them and some allies of theirs
south of Saginaw Bay with the Sauks when the latter were located upon
Saginaw river, and the practical destruction of that tribe of Sauks. By
the early part of the nineteenth century, the Chippewas were the only
Indian nation occupying the eastern part of Michigan north of Detroit
or Lake St. Clair, the Mississaugas being by that time generally called
and known as Chippewas. In the treaty of 1807 between the United
States and several Indian nations, by which the former secured the
undisputed rights to the southeastern part of IMichigan, this treaty
was signed by the Ottawas, AVyandots and Potawatomies, because
they had rights and interests around Detroit, and toward and in Ohio,
and by the Chippewas, because all the northern part of the territory
ceded was recognized as belonging to them. Provision was made for
several reservations within the ceded district, and the reservations in
this and Macomb counties were occupied and claimed only by the
Chippewas, and when, in 1836, these reservations were ceded to the
United States, the Indians making the cession are called in the treaty
the Black river and Swan creek bands of Chippewas.
We conclude, then, that within historic times this county was occu-
pied by the Neuters, possibly to some extent by the Foxes, Miamis and
Potawatomies, and finally by the Mississaugas and Chippewas.
In their native condition the Chippewas were a timber people, living
mainly by fishing and hunting. They were first found by the French
at the Sault, and hence were called Saulteurs or people of the Sault.
They were expert fishers, and while they had no settled habitation to
the same extent as the Iroquois, they cultivated maize and a few
vegetables.
They were a brave, courageous people, expert in the use of the canoe
and the arrow, as upon these they depended for their livelihood in
fishing and hunting.
After they came into contact with the white man they felt the same
attraction as most other Indians for strong drink, and suffered greatly
from it.
Many of the implements used by the Indians in their warfare and
domestic life have been found within the county, and a number of their
burial places were known when the county was organized. There was
one upon the north side of Pine river at its mouth, one on the south side
of Black river near the end of Sixth street, and one on the east side
of Military street some distance south of Griswold street in the city of
Port Huron.
The weapons and tools found in these burial places indicate the
same degree of civilization found elsewhere among the Indians before
48 HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY
coming in contact with white men, and their number and kind offer
evidence that some of them did not belong to the Chippewas, but to the
older tribes, as after the French and English came in contact with the
Indians, the latter used iron tools, utensils and guns.
When the electric railway between Port Huron and Detroit was
under construction in 1901, in grading through the hill then existing
south of Bunce's creek, the skeleton of a man was found several feet
below the surface, and with it, a copper hatchet and beads and a double
pointed instrument of unknown use. This copper must have come
from Lake Superior and indicates the existence of some sort of traffic.
The stone arrowheads found here are of flint, which cannot be found
nearer than the central part of Ohio, so that a more extended commerce
between Indian tribes perhaps existed than has been commonly believed.
Indian Reservations and Leaders
When St. Clair county was created it contained two Indian reserva-
tions, provided for in the treaty of 1807. one upon Black river, the
other upon Lake St. Clair. The Indians did not occupy their reserva-
tions throughout the year, but during the hunting and trapping season
would move to more favorable locations, returning to this locality for
the fishing, which was very good in St. Clair river. Al)out 200 Indians
are credited to the Black River reservation, and 150 to the Swan Creek,
but this number is probably too high, as Schoolcraft, who was Indian
commissioner in this state for several years, estimated in 1839 the
total number of both bands at 198.
AVhen the treaty was made in 1836 ceding these reservations, it was
signed by Eshtonoquot, Naykeeshig, Mayzin and Keewaygeezhig. The
Indian name of the Black river band was Mekadewagamitigweyawinini-
wak and of the Swan Creek band Wapisiwisibiwininiwak.
Naykeezhig, or Driving Clouds, was the grandson of Masheash, or
Musquash, and the nephew of Nemekas, or Animikans, who was one
of the signers of the treaty of 1807. Maskeash was one of the promi-
nent chiefs along St. Clair river during the time of the British occu-
pancy of this region and signed many of the deeds given by the Chip-
pewa chiefs of land in this county at that time. He died shortly after
the close of the War of 1812 and was buried on the Indian reserva-
tion north of Mt. Clemens.
Naykeezhig, who frequently was employed by Judge Bunce, and
was called one of Bunce's Indians, was the uncle of Keewaygeezhig,
whose name means returning sky, and who also signed the treaty
of 1836.
Animikans, or Nimekance — the name is spelled in a great variety
of ways — Avas one of the principal chiefs of the Chippewas and lived to
a great age, at least 106 years, dying about 1825 on the Indian reserva-
tion at Sarnia, where he had lived for many years. When a compara-
tively young man, he had served as a soldier under Patrick Sinclair
at the fort built by the latter on St. Clair river just below the mouth of
Pine river. As a reward for his services, the English had given him the
dress and uniform of an English brigadier general, and this he pre-
HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY 49
served until his death, wearing and displaying it on occasions with
great pride. Nimekance was a friend and frequent visitor of Z. W.
Bunce, and made him a friendly call, clad in his uniform, within a
year before his death.
A granddaughter of Maskeash, well known to the early settlers in
this county, was old Mother Rodd, as she was familiarly called. Her
portrait, presented by D. B. Harrington, hangs in the rooms of the
]\liehigan Pioneer and Historical Society at Lansing. ]\Iother Rodd
lived to an extreme old age, considerably over 100 years, and while her
home was on the Indian reservation at Sarnia, and she received an
annuity from the British government, she had many friends among
the Americans, and for many years spent a considerable part of her
time here. She made brooms, baskets and mats, and was honest and
industrious. In winter she camped in the woods, and in the summer
on the bank of the river, gathering berries or making maple sugar to
exchange for provisions. She also had a good knowledge of herbs and
frequently acted the part of physician. It is related of her that upon
one occasion she applied a remedy which modern society seems to be
greatly in need of. A young Indian, distantly related to her, had
fallen in love with a squaw, although he was already married. Mother
Rodd took charge of the case and a visitor to her camp found the young
man looking very solemn with his head bent over a vessel contain-
ing water, and a heated stone producing steam, and "around him was
wrapped a large mackinaw blanket. In fact, she was applying the
sweat cure to rid him of his disease, and in this case, at least, the
method was successful.
Another Indian chief who was well known in the state, and whose
portrait is also found at Lansing, was Okemos, who did not belong in
this county, but was occasionally here. Okemos was a nephew of Pon-
tiac, and was therefore in part, at least, of Ottawa descent, but had
been made a chief of the Chippewas because of his daring and bravery
on the side of the British near Sandusky in 1813. He was severely
wounded and until his death carried a long scar on his head, caused by
a saber cut. After the War of 1812 he became satisfied that he had
been on the wrong side of the controversy, and took the oath of alle-
giance to the United States. In spite of this, however, he tried to
obtain an annuity from the British government, which continued for
many years to distribute yearly at Maiden on the Detroit river, large
sums of money and valuable presents to the Indians friendly to them.
When the Americans came to build Fort Gratiot in 1814 they found
an Indian on the Black River reservation, whose name is perpetuated
in one of the townships of our county, John Riley. He was a half-
breed, his father being James Van Slyck Riley, or Ryley, a man of good
family from Schenectady, N. Y., and Menawcamegoqua, his mother, a
Chippewa woman of Saginaw.
John Riley was a large, athletic man, of commanding appearance,
good manners, spoke English well and was fairly well educated. During
the War of 1812 the Rileys were friendly to the United States and of
great help to them in many directions. It is related by Judge Witherell
that when John Riley was a youth he was in Detroit about 1786. and
Vol. 1—4
50 HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY
was ordered by a British officer to work on the highway. This he
refused to do, and the soldiers were about to flog him when he dared
them to do it, and the major in command, surprised by his appearance
and courage, let him go.
In 1815 he was one of the official Indian interpreters at Detroit.
At the treaty with the Saginaw Chippewas made in 1819 there was
reserved for the use of John Rilev 610 acres of land near what is now
Bay City.
"When Judge Bunce came to the county in 1817. Riley was living
near the northeast corner of the Indian reservation, and he made his
home here until the sale of the reservation in 1836. He claimed in a peti-
tion to Congress in the year of the sale that in consideration of his ser-
vices the Chippewa chiefs had deeded to him in 1825 80 acres of the Res-
ervation but his claim was not allowed. After that event he opened
a store in the present township of Riley, but trusted his customers too
freely and in consequence went out of business, and a few years later
moved to Canada, where he died in 1842.
•)
Mound Builders and ]\Iounds
Scattered over the central United States, including Michigan, are
evidences of a people antedating the Indians of historic times. These
evidences consist mainly of mounds of various shapes, and in conse-
quence the people have been generally called the Mound Builders.
It has been the general belief until quite lately that they were of a
civilization higher than the Indians, as the white men have known them,
and that they were perhaps connected "U'ith the Aztecs, or the more
civilized races of Mexico and Central America. "The more careful
exploration of the mounds in recent years, and the more thorough study
of the data bearing on the subject have shown these opinions to be
erroneous. The articles found in the mounds and the character of the
various monuments indicate a culture stage much the same as that of
the more advanced tribes found inhabiting this region at the advent
of the whites. The conclusion reached chiefly through the investigation
of the Bureau of Ethnology and now generally accepted, is that the
Mound Builders were the ancestors of the Indians found inhabiting the
same region by the first European explorers."
There were Indian mounds in St. Clair county until a few years
since, but unfortunately no attempt was made to explore them thor-
oughly or scientifically, and for our knowledge of them we are com-
pelled to rely upon the report concerning them made by Mr. Henry
Oilman, of Detroit, in 1872 to the Peabody Museum of Archeology
and Ethnolog}". i\Ir. Oilman was at that time assistant superintendent
of the light house service on the lakes, had before that been connected
with the geodetic survey and later was for a time librarian of the public
library in Detroit, and consul at Jerusalem. A portion of his report
is as follows : ' ' The mounds, situated at the head of the St. Clair river
extend from south of Fort Gratiot for one and one-half miles north-
ward, along the west shore of the river and of Lake Huron. It is alto-
gether probable that they reach much farther, both northward and
Hftuii'N ;.t tin- Hiad (.f >t. Clnir River,
a«i<i fii r>I;fk Ilivcr. Mivliii;au.
A
JLAKE HUBOir
BlBi^Ji. Kiver Mson^
Oi^TARIO
-t'^^a-^^
Statute ililps.
52 HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY
southward; but I have traced, examined and fully identified them for
the distance mentioned. Similar works have been found on the oppo-
site side of the river in Canada. Isolated mounds in the interior also
exist, an interesting example of which is seen on the west shore of the
Black river (a tributary of the St. Clair), at a point about one and
three-ciuarter miles southwest of Gratiot ; the mound referred to having
been exposed, some years ago, by the grading of a road through it,
which, as usual, resulted in the loss of a large amount of valuable
relics.
"With few exceptions, all these mounds have a general resemblance,
and bear the appearance of terrace-like embankments from ten to twenty
and twenty-five feet in height ; they are much longer than wide, and
run nearly parallel to the general direction of the river and lake shore,
which here does not vary much from north and south. They are
mostly of the drift formation, subsequently modified or added to by
man for the various objects for which they were occupied, whether for
the purposes of interment, habitation, or the manufacture of the rude
implements connected with the daily life of that period ; and, from the
topographical features and the geographical position, they must have
formed favorite places of retreat in war time.
"Mound No. 1 is composed chiefly of sand and gravel, is about two
hundred feet long by fifty feet wide, and is fifteen feet above the level
of the river. It has rather abruptly-curving sides, and is built on a
slope of the ridge, of drift formation, on which the village of Gratiot
stands.
"A large excavation, made about fifty feet from the south end of
the mound, disclosed the remains of four human bodies, at a depth of
four feet from the surface. In an area of about ten feet square the
four crania, with a portion of the accompanying bones, were taken out,
but were in so decayed and tender a condition that, with the exception
of a skull and a few of the long bones and vertebrae, they mostly fell
to pieces. The bodies evidently were buried in a sitting posture. This
was very apparent in one case, where the femora were found bent upon
and above the tibiae, the vertebrae, etc., resting upon these, while the
skull lay on top, face downward, as though it had leaned forward orig-
inally, and had finally fallen over into that position. This cranium is
that marked Skull No. 1, Mound No. 1 ; and the vertebrae and other
bones thereto belonging may be found correspondingly marked. With
these remains were associated fragments of pottery, the bones of fishes
and birds, flint chips, and some stone implements of the rudest character.
These last were mostly water-M'orn boulders, apparently used as ham-
mers, and almost invariably shattered, and net sinkers, flatfish, irregu-
larly-elliptical stones, notched on the edges or partially grooved toward
the center. It is interesting to notice that the tibiae present the peculiar
compression which I have found so marked a characteristic, and in such
extreme degree in the tibiae from the mounds on the Detroit river and
the River Rouge, IMiehigan, establishing the fact that these, too, were
platycnemic men.
"After excavating to the depth of six feet, the coarse gravel of the
drift was encountered ; but no further objects of interest being met with,
HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY 53
the opening was extended in other directions to the westward, so as to
open a lateral trench through the mound. This revealed several fire-
places, solid beds of black ashes from one foot to eighteen inches thick,
with fragments of pottery and bone, flint chips, sinkers and broken
hammers interspersed. The fireplaces were invariably at or near the
surface of the mound, showing it to have been occupied for habitation
subsequently to being used for burial purposes. Openings made at two
points, about fifty feet from the north end of the mound, and also at a
third point, half-way between these and the first excavation, added no
facts of special interest. Two excavations were then made at twenty-
five feet from the south end of the mound, showing fireplaces with the
beds of black ashes two feet thick, and intermingled relics similar to
those of the fireplaces already mentioned. Some of the fragments of
pottery taken out here were uncommonly thick and coarse. Beneath
were small pieces of the bones of man, but nothing further worthy of
mention. The encroachment of the town on this mound, and on those
to the west of it, prevented a more satisfactory examination.
"The oldest residents (some born and brought up here) knew noth-
ing of the character of the mound, though they remember that, many
years ago, it was covered with a large forest growth.
"Mound No. 2, which lies two hundred feet northwest of Mound
No. 1, is over five hundred feet in length by from one hundred to one
hundred and fifty feet wide; and of the general height of twelve feet
above the level of the St. Clair river. It is bounded on the north by a
small stream known as McNeil's creek, which also runs southwardly all
along its eastern slope, as well as a part of the south end of the mound.
The ordinary observer will scarcely fail to notice that this mound is
something more than the work of nature. Its sides have a graceful,
gradual slope, with the exception of the side fronting the river, which
is abrupt and terrace-like, even where not washed by the creek. Be-
tween the creek and the River St. Clair is some low lands with ponds,
where are a few outlying mounds, small and of slight elevation. About
two hundred feet of the south end of Mound No. 2 is clear of trees,
except on the sides, and is covered with a smooth, green turf. Excava-
tions were made in a number of places, showing that this entire end of
the mound was covered with a solid crust of black ashes from eighteen
inches to two feet thick. So hard and solid was this crust that layers
of it in large pieces several inches square and thick were taken up
unbroken. Fragments of pottery, showing a great variety of patterns,
bones of animals, birds and fishes (some of the larger bones evidently
smashed), flint flakes and chips, with stone implements, consisting prin-
cipally of arrowheads, hammers and sinkers, were found intermixed
with the ashes. The abundance of the sinkers and particularly of the
broken hammers is a remarkable feature. Though such rude utensils,
a selection from them is preserved, so as to give an idea of their char-
acter. I have not found elsewhere a similar condition of things, and
believe that this end of the mound furnishes a nearer approach to the
'refuse heaps' of the Atlantic coast than anything I have seen else-
where on the shores of the Great Lakes. The absence of the shell
deposit, however, makes a marked difference. I cannot find that those
54 HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY
ancient inhabitants of this region had much recourse to shell-fish as an
article of diet. The great abundance of fishes, and the ease with which
they were captured, together with the multitude of land game, left
them under no necessity to use the inferior fresh-water mussels for food.
"From the large quantity of pottery fragments and broken hammers
together with the thick bed of ashes covering so wide an area of this
mound, I incline to think that this must have been a point where the
manufacture of their pottery was carried on to an unusual extent. The
broken hammers may be accounted for by their having been fractured
in pounding the grains used as food, and in cracking the bones of
animals for the extraction of the marrow, indications of which are not
wanting. The pottery found in both these mounds exhibits an unusual
variety of patterns, though not a single utensil was taken out entire.
"From want of time, the investigation of the northern part of the
mound, which is elevated at its center from two to three feet above the
portion covered with the ash-bed, was confined to three points. No
additional information was obtained, however, further than establishing
for it a like origin with the other mounds.
"All the northern portion of the mound and also the sides of the
southern portion are covered with a large second growth of trees. These
consist chiefly of white pine, scarlet oak, white oak and bass wood. The
trunks of some of these trees have a diameter of from eighteen inches
two to and one-half feet. A few decayed stumps of the original forest
still remain. These average four feet in diameter.
"Mound No. 3. — After the exploration of four other mounds, three
lying northward, the fourth northwestward of j\Iound No. 2, which con-
tributed no additional facts of particular value, other than their identity
of origin with the rest of the group, attention was next directed to
Mound No. 3, which proved to be the most interesting of the entire series.
This mound is situated three-quarters of a mile northeastward of ]\Iound
No. 1. It is about five hundred feet in length, and in breadth varies
from seventy to ninety feet; while its height above the surface of Lake
Huron is twelve feet, or not more than five feet above the general level
of the surrounding land. In general direction it corresponds to the
other mounds, and there is little in its appearance to suggest its char-
acter or call the attention of any other than a practised eye.
"A large excavation was made at its widest part, and about its cen-
ter. Within two feet of the surface the bones belonging to a single
body were unearthed, but in so tender a condition from age that they
mostly crumbled to pieces. A few bones of birds and fishes were found
with them. Some of the decayed roots of an oak tree stump, ten feet
to the westward (and which wiU be further alluded to), had grown over
and around these bones. The excavation was deepened, widened and
carried farther to the eastward, opening a trench to the depth of six
feet, but only small fragments of human bones resulted. The trench
was then opened to the westward, toward the stump of the oak. When
at the depth of five feet, we came to a skull (No. 1, Mound 3). Some
of the bones first taken out overlay this, and decayed roots of the oak,
as thick as a man's arm, stretched above it. The other bones belonging
to the body appear dwarfish. It was buried with the head to the east,
HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY 55
and the legs seem to have been drawn up, and not stretched out at full
length. On removing these remains, we found, immediately beneath, a
third body, placed so closely that the skull of the upper rested on that
of the lower. At the head was a large quantity of the bones of birds
and fishes, in a compact mass, as though once held in some wrapping
or vessel which had decayed. These were pressed against the skulls, so
that in some cases they adhered to them, and are, no doubt, the remains
of the food placed with the dead. Such of the bones as jcould be re-
moved are preserved, but a great portion crumbled to pieces. This
body was buried with the head to the eastward. The roots of the oak
tree had penetrated the bones in many cases, the long roots presenting
some interesting examples of this, as the roots in their natural growth
had first filled, then burst the bones, so that in several instances the
parts of the bone surrounded the now decayed root imbedded in it.
Such pieces as held together are forwarded. This tree, which evidently
belonged to the second growth of timber, was, I think, a scarlet oak,
as the majority of the wood covering the southern half of the mound
is of this species, together with the white pine. The decayed stump was
two feet in diameter at the base, and at one foot above the ground
divided into three trunks or main branches, each nine inches in diam-
eter. These had been cut down, apparently, many years ago ; and as
between the first and two subsequent burials must have occurred, in
all probability, some lapse of time, and the oak nuist have sprung up,
reached its growth, been cut down, and its stump finally have decayed
long afterward, some slight idea may be had as to the age of the first
burial.
"The trench was now opened to the oak stump, when, from directly
beneath it, Skull No. 3 was taken out with the accompanying bones.
Upon this skull lay a plate of mica, five by four inches, of a quadrilateral
shape, the corners worn off. A pebble of water-worn coral rested upon
the mica, as if to keep it in place. About the neck of the deceased a
necklace of remarkable construction had apparently been hung. This
uncommon ornament was composed of the teeth of the moose, finely
perforated at the roots, alternating with wrought beads of copper of
different lengths, and the perforated bones of birds stained a fine green
color, the stain, in the few pieces preserved, being wonderfully fresh.
Small portions of the cord to which they had been attached are still
partially preserved and remain in the apertures of the copper beads.
I suppose that the teeth alternated with the copper beads and the
stained bones. One copper bead, which adheres by its oxidation to the
perforated part of a tooth, sustains this conclusion. A rude stone axe,
partially polished, lay beside these remains. All indicated that the
dead had been peculiarly honored in his burial, and that he had been,
perhaps, a noted personage.
"Immediately to the northward of this body another was taken out,
Skull No. 4, with the remaining bones. These were under the edge of
the oak stump, and, as well as the remains No. 3, were surrounded with
masses of roots. Both bodies lay nearly side by side, and at the same
vertical plane, five feet below the surface. As in the other cases, the
56 HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY
bones of birds and fishes were found with the remains, but in small
quantity.
"The excavation was next carried southward, through the center of
the mound, for a short distance ; but no relics being met with other than
a few fragments of broken hammers and flint chips, it was next opened
in the opposite direction, northward, thus giving it the form of an
irregular Latin cross. When a few feet to the northward of the remains
last taken out (No. 4), we came upon Skull Xo. 5, and following up the
indications, recovered such of the remaining bones as could be pre-
served. With this body a flint arrowhead and some other rude stone
implements were found; also a number of small shells, the species of
which I have not determined, but which appear to have been used for
some special purpose, perhaps as ornaments, as they were ground smooth
at the base. About twelve of these were recovered, but there must have
been many more originally, as a large number of them crumbled to dust,
and also some of them might easily have been overlooked. A short dis-
tance westward of the last relics. Skull No. 6 was taken out. The accom-
panying bones, as in the cases of the others, were very tender, and it
was Avith extreme difficult}^ that any of them were recovered. The
tibiae exhibited the compression previously referred to in a marked
degree. A large mass of fish bones lay in front of this body, which, like
the previous remains (Skull No. 5, etc.), "was buried placed on its right
side with the head toward the east, and the limbs drawn up closely to
the chest. It is possible that they may have been buried in a sitting or
crouched position, and have afterward fallen over, but I think they were
buried as first mentioned. The absence of pottery with the interments
in this mound is worthy of note, only two fragments being found in
any part of the mound, and these apparently accidentally dropped.
"Isolated excavations in different places throughout the extent of
Mound No. 3, as also in a mound sixty feet to the west of it, contrib-
uted nothing specially entitled to record.
"Mound No. 4. — Mound No. 4 is eight hundred feet northeast of
Mound No. 3. It is three hundred feet long by from thirty to fifty
feet wide, and is a low, sandy ridge, with a series of nine conical eleva-
tions running along its length, and rising two or three feet above its
general level, they having a diameter of from twenty-five to thirty feet.
"Mound No. 5 is fifty feet to the westward of IMound No. 4, and is
of a conical shape, forty feet in diameter, and nearly twelve feet above
the level of Lake Huron, being between three and four feet higher than
No. 4. Two other mounds of smaller size but similar shape lie to the
north of it.
"From Nos. 4 and 5 were obtained a few stone implements, frag-
ments of bones and pottery, with flint chips and the usual boulder-
hammers, mostly fractured. Our limited time prevented as thorough
an investigation of these mounds as their appearance certainly warrants.
I believe the removal of those conical elevations in Mound No. 4 would
be rewarded with interesting discoveries.
"Other mounds to the northward and westward, belonging to the
series, were also examined to the extent of confirming their claims to a
like origin with those more thoroughly explored. A mound south of
HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY 57
Mound No. 1 (the first investigated) contributed a few stone imple-
ments, which are forwarded. The large implement appears to
me to resemble a spade, but may have been designed for some other use
than that apparently indicated.
"In conclusion, I would say that the facts observed fully prove this
extensive group of mounds a rich field for more exhaustive research.
And here I repeat the interesting fact that all the tibiae unearthed
invariably exhibited the compression or flattening characterizing platyc-
nemic men. Unfortunately, the bones generally crumbling to pieces
prevented satisfactory measurements. But sufficient evidence was ob-
tained (in connection with my discoveries in other parts of jMichigan)
to establish the point that this race, from the Detroit river to the
St. Clair and Lake Huron was marked with platycnemism to an extreme
hitherto unobserved in any other part of this country, or perhaps any
other country in the world. I cannot but believe, from what I have
seen, that future investigation will extend the area in which this type
of bone is predominant to the entire region of the Great Lakes, if not
to the great west; or, in other words, that at least our northern 'mound-
builders' will be found to have possessed this trait in the degree and
to the extent denoted. I am unable to say whether this peculiarity
prevails in our modern Indian or not.
"With the exception of the rude stone hammers and the sinkers,
the number of perfect stone implements seems to me unusually small
throughout this entire series of mounds. The question arises : Had this
people the habit of sometimes breaking the stone implements cast into
the burial mounds? Or were broken ones selected for this purpose as
being of little other use?
"On the west bank of the Black river, a tributary of the St. Clair
river, is a burial-mound which exhibited some unusual features. A road
having been cut through the easterly slope of this mound, the excava-
tion consequent on grading, etc., revealed a large number of human
bones, pottery, stone implements, and other relics. Stone-lance or
spearheads of great length were taken out, two of them being over a
foot long, and one sixteen inches in length. But the most interesting
feature of this repository of relics was a grave, the interior of which
was described to me as being lined with pottery similar to that of which
the vases, pots, etc., are formed. This was so peculiar a circumstance,
no other instance of the kind having come to my knowledge, that at
first I considered the statement rather doubtful. But not long after
I availed myself of an opportunity of visiting the locality and making
an examination.
"Though the construction of the road through the mound had
destroyed most of the original features and scattered a mul-
titude of valuable remains, further excavation revealed a considerable
quantity of fragments of the pottery above referred to as
having been said to have lined the grave. This certainly appeared to
confirm the statement. I found this pottery to be of rather a coarser
description than usual, and marked abundantly with the cord pattern,
found to be of such frequent employment, but in this instance made
with a large cord or small rope. The side so ornamented was invariably
58 HISTOEY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY
concave, while the other side was convex and unsmoothed, different
from any other specimens I have seen elsewhere. So rough and unfin-
ished was the unornamented side, that it had every appearance of
having been pressed upon the ground while yet plastic, and sand, and
even small pebbles, adhering to it sustained this impression. After
having viewed the evidence, I had no longer any great difficulty in
receiving the statements previously made.
"My chief informant was perfectly uneducated in such matters, and
even attributed the peculiar formation lining the sides of the grave
to the coagulation and final hardening of blood, accounting for its
presence in such large quantity by presuming a battle to have been
fought in the vicinity."
CHAPTER VII
SOURCES OF LAND TITLES
The Iroquois Title — Quebec — Colonial Claims — Indian Treaties Af-
fecting THE County — Reports of Indian Agent Jouett and Judge
Woodward — Congressional Regulation of Titles — Land Claims
IN the County — Lands in St. Clair River and Lake — Survey into
Townships — Public and School Lands — Railroad Lands — Indian
Reservation Lands — Swamp Lands — St. Clair Flats.
Ordinarily in the examination of title to land in this state it is satis-
factory if a complete connected chain of title is found, beginning with a
deed or patent from the state or United States, but it may be of interest
to go further and see what claim or right that original grantor had. In
the state of Michigan, the state itself or the territory preceding it, had
no title to any land except such as was derived by conveyances from the
United States, so that we are led back to inquire into the latter 's title,
and then follow the various channels by which title has come to the
present owners; in that pursuit we shall find that there is but one other
county in the state — Wayne — which has a title history of as many
channels.
When the white men first came to America it was occupied in a way
by the Indians, only a small part of whom, mainly the Iroquoian tribes,
had a settled habitation and cultivated the soil. Much the larger part
depended chiefly upon hunting and fishing for a livelihood, and as large
areas are required to support life by hunting, they roamed over a terri-
tory very large in proportion to their numbers. But for even these
roaming tribes there were always recognized limits within which they
were entitled to be, and if they went outside of those limits they knew
and felt they were acting as enemies to some other tribe.
In this way it might be said with some propriety that each tribe or
nation had title to the territory over which they roamed. In any event,
there was no higher authority to which they owed or gave allegiance.
Under the feudal system the title to all land was in the king, and in
consideration of certain services to be rendered, he gave to his vassals
certain rights over or to the land and its use, but in theory, and often
in practice, these rights were forfeited and the king could therefore
treat the property as his own and hand it over to an abler or more
desirable vassal.
The individual ownership of land, free from any claims or rights of
59
60 HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY
a superior, was an idea slow in coming, and did not arrive until the
decay of the feudal system.
Such ownership as was possessed by the Indians was a tribal or
national ownership, to be exercised by them in common, and was subject
to be taken from them by a victorious enemy ; there was never any idea
of attempting to pass any rights bj' voluntary action, although cases did
occur where one tribe would permit another to enter territory "belong-
ing" to it, and live within it, as a matter of friendship.
Until the Europeans came, the occupancy of land merely meant the
opportunity of killing enough animals to supply food and clothing, ex-
cept in the few cases where cultivation of corn and some vegetables
required a fixed place of living.
The Europeans brought to the Indians a great change in their mode
of living ; the bow and arrow gave way to the gun, which enabled them
to kill animals more surely and rapidly ; the skin of the wild animal gave
way to the blanket, and many other articles of fancy or use were made
known, and new desires created. At the same time a means of satisfy-
ing these desires and obtaining these articles Avas furnished in the
willingness of the white man to purchase the skins of all fur bearing
animals, and of all animals the beaver became the most important, and
the localities where it flourished the most valuable. The Iroquois, the
most settled, as well as the fiercest fighters among the Indians, coveted
the fine beaver hunting of the Canadian peninsula between Lake Ontario
and Lake Huron, and this furnished a strong motive for the destruction
of the Hurons and allied nations in the territory which they had occu-
pied and claimed from time immemorial.
The Iroquois Title
The other raids incessantly carried on by the Iroquois gave them a
claim over a great extent of territory around the lalvcs, which they
insisted upon as theirs in their dealings with the English.
The Europeans, however, did not recognize that the Indians had any
title, in the modern sense of the word, to any of the territory they occu-
pied, and with few exceptions treated them as occupants without real
rights, and claimed absolute ownership and sovereignty in their own
particular ruler. Thus the English king gave to individuals or com-
panies vast tracts of land in the newly discovered country, without any
thought that title rested anywhere else except in him, or that there
could be any imperfection in his title. The French king had the same
view and took the same course. By them both the Indians were regarded
not as having rights, but as privileges which might properly be taken
away from them if their conduct was not at all times entirely satisfac-
tory. Each king assumed a sort of protectorate over all the tribes
which could be induced to accept it, and each king also claimed as his
own all the territory occupied or roamed over by his wards.
In the discovery and exploration of the country, the English settled
along the sea coast, the French entering the St. Lawrence, explored the
Great Lakes and the Mississippi region, thus extending all along in the
rear of the English.
HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY 61
The line of demarcation between New France or Canada, the French
possessions, and the English colonies, was always vague and
indefinite and became the subject of many quarrels. In 1701
the authorities of New York obtained from the Iroquois a deed
which will be found interesting as indicating the character of the
respective claims to the territory in which St. Clair county is located:
"To all Christian & Indian people in this parte of the world and
in Europe over the great salt waters, to whom the presents shall come —
Wee the Sachims Chief men, Captns. and representatives of the Five
Nations or Cantons of Indians called the Maquase Oneydas Onnandages
and Sinnekes living in the Government of New Yorks in America, to
the north west of Albany on this side the Lake Cadarachqui sendeth
greeting — Bee it known unto you that our ancestors to our certain
knowledge have had, time out of mind a fierce and bloody warr with
seaven nations of Indians called the Aragaritkas whose Chief comand
was called successively Chohahise — The land is scituate lyeing and being
northwest and by west from Albany beginning on the south west side
of Cadarachqui lake and includes all that waste Tract of Land lyeing
between the great lake off Ottawawa and the lake called by the natives
Sahiquage and by the Christians the lake of Swege and runns till it
butts upon the Twichtwichs and is bounded on the right hand by a
place called Quadoge conteigning in length about eight hundred miles
and in bredth four hundred miles including the country where the bevers
the deers, Elks and such beasts keep and the place called Tieugsach-
rondio, alias Fort de Tret or wawyachtenok and so runs round the lake
of swege till you come to place called Oniadarondaquat which is about
twenty miles from the Sinnekes Castles w4iicli said seaven nations our
predecessors did four score years agoe totally^ conquer and subdue and
drove them out of that country and had peaceable and quiet possession
of the same to hunt beavers (which was the motive caused us to war for
the same) for three score years it being the only chief place for hunting
in this parte of the world that ever wee heard of and after that wee
had been sixty years sole masters and owners of the said land enjoying
peaceable hunting without any internegotion, a remnant of one of the
seaven nations called Tionondade whom wee had expelled and drove
away came and settled there twenty years ago, disturbed our beaver
hunting against which nation wee have warred ever since and would
have subdued them long ere now had not they been assisted and suc-
coured by the French of Canada, and whereas the Governour of Canada
aforesaid hath lately sent a considerable force to a place called Tjeugh-
saghronde the principall passe that commands said land to build a
Forte there without our leave and consent, by which means they will
possess themselves of that excellent country Avhere there is not only a
very good soile but great plenty of all maner of wild beasts in such
quantities that there is no maner of trouble in killing of them and also
will be sole masters of the Boar hunting whereby wee shall be deprived
of our livelyhood and subsistance and brought to perpetual bondage
and slavery, and wee having subjected ourselves and lands on this side
of Cadarachqui lake wholy to the Crown of England wee the said
Sachims chief men Captns and representatives of the Five nations after
62 HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY
mature deliberation out of a deep sence of the many Rovall favours
extended to us by the present great Monarch of England King William
the third, and in consideration also that wee have lived peaceably and
quietly with the people of albany our fellow subjects above eighty
years when wee first made a firm league and covenant chain with these
Christians that first came to settle Albany on this river which covenant
chain hath been yearly renewed and kept bright and clear by all the
Governours successively and many neighboring Govermts of English
and nations of Indians have since upon their request been admitted into
the same. Wee say upon these and many other good motives us here-
unto moveing have freely and voluntary surrendered delivered up and
for ever quit claimed, and by these presents doe for us our heires and
successors absolutely surrender, deliver up and for ever quit claime
unto our great Lord and Master the King of England called by us
Corachkoo and by the Christians William the third and to his heires
and successors Kings and Queens of England for ever all the right title
and interest and all the claime and demand whatsoever which wee the said
five nations of Indians called the Maquase, Oneydes, Onnondages,
Cayouges and Sinnekes now have or which wee ever had or that our
heirs or successors at am- time hereafter may or ought to have of in or
to all that vast Tract of land or Colony called Canagariarchio beginning
on the northwest side of Cadarachqui lake and includes all that vast
tract of land lyeing between the great lake of Ottawawa and the lake
called by the natives Cahiquage and by the Christians the lake of Swege
and runns till it butts upon the Twichtwichs and is bounded on the
westward by the Twichtwichs by a place called Quadoge conteining in
length about eight hundred miles and in breath four hundred miles
including the Country where Beavers and all sorts of wild game keeps
and the place called Tjeughsaghrondie alias Fort de tret or Wawyach-
tenock and so runns round the lake of Swege till j^ou come to a place
called Oniadarundaquat which is about twenty miles from the Sinnekes
castles including likewise the great falls oakinagaro, all of which (was)
formerly posest by seaven nations of Indians called the Aragaritka,
■Avhom by a fair Avarr wee subdued and drove from thence four score
years agoe bringing many of them captives to our country and soe be-
came to be the true owners of the same by conquest which said land is
scituate lyeing and being as is above expressed with the whole soyle
the lakes the rivers and all things pertaining to the said tract of land
or colony with power to erect Forts and castles there, soe that wee the
said Five nations nor our heires nor any other person or persons for us
by any ways or meanes hereafter have claime challenge and demand of
in or to the premises or any parte thereof alwayes provided and it is
hereby expected that wee are to have free hunting for us and the heires
and descendants from us the Five nations for ever and that free of
all disturbances expecting to be protected therein by the Crown of
England but from all the action right title interest and demand of in
or to the premises or every of them shall and will be uterly excluded
and debarred for ever by these presents and wee the said Sachims of
the Five Nations of Indians called the Maquase, Oneydes, Onnandages,
Cayouges and Sinnekes and our heires the said tract of land or Colony,
HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY 63
lakes and rivers and premises and every part and parcel thereof with
their and every of their appurtenances unto our souveraigne Lord the
King William the third & his heires and successors Kings of England
tc his and their proper use and uses against us our heires and all and
every other person lawfully claiming by from or under us the said Five
nations shall and will warrant and for ever defend by these presents. —
In Witness whereof wee the Sachims of the Five nations above men-
tioned in behalf of ourselves and the Five nations have signed and
sealed this present Instrument and delivered the same as an Act and
deed to the Honble. John Nafan Esqr. Lieutt. Govr. to our Great King
in this province whom we call Corlaer, in the presence of all the Magis-
trates officers and other inhabitants of Albany praying our Brother
Corlaer to send it over to Carachkoo our dread souveraigne Lord and
that he would be graciously pleased to accept of the same Actum in
Albany in the middle of the high street this nineteenth day of July in
the thirteenth year of His Majty's reign Annoque Domini 1701."
Signed by the chiefs of the four nations named, but also of the
Cayugas, with their various clan totems.
In this deed the Maquase are the Mohawks, Lake Cadarachqui is
Lake Ontario ; Lake of Ottawawa, Lake Huron ; Lake of Swege, Lake
Erie ; Twichtwichs, the Miami Indians, located at the south end of Lake
Michigan.
At the conclusion of the French and English war all the rights of
the French in this region passed to the English and in turn those rights
passed to the United States by the treaty of 1783.
Quebec
Although by the treaty between the French and the English this
region passed under the dominion of the English, and even at that time
Detroit was a post of some importance, the English government was in
deep ignorance about the situation, and when the government of Quebec
was established in 1763 the western line was so drawn that no part of
this region was included, and for some years Detroit and Mackinac and
other western posts were in an anomalous position, and under no govern-
ment except the personal government of the king of England. In 1774
this situation was corrected by extending the lines of Quebec to take in
this section.
The king's proclamation of 1763 provided that all the territory not
included within any of the new provinces or within the land of the
Hudson Bay Company and lying west of the Alleghanies, be reserved
for the Indians until further consideration. At that time the English
government had just begun to realize that the Indians disliked and
feared the English because they were continually spreading out and
encroaching, and that the Pontiac war was the strongest evidence of
this feeling. In recognition of this feeling, and to prevent its extension,
the proclamation further provided that no governor or commander-in-
chief should presume upon any pretence whatever to grant warrants of
survey or pass any patents for lands beyond the bounds of their re-
spective governments, or upon any lands which, not having been ceded
64 HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY
to or purchased by the English king, were reserved to the Indians for
hunting grounds. It further prohibited any private persons from
making any purchases or settlements, without special license, and pro-
vided that if at amy time the Indians were inclined to dispose of any
of their lands, they could be purchased only for the king, at a public
meeting of the Indians held for that purpose by the governor or com-
mander-in-chief. All these prohibitions continued in effect so long as
the English controlled the situation, but as we shall see, were not alwaj's
obeyed.
Colonial, Claims
"When the treaty of peace between Great Britain and the United
States was made in 1783, and the Ignited Colonies obtained from England
a cession of its rights to this region, complications at once ensued over
the respective claims to all the territory northwest of the Ohio river,
Virginia, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and New York all having claims
to part or all of it.
The claim of Virginia was based upon the charter granted by King
James I in JMay, 1609, to the "Treasurer and Company of Adventurers
and Planters of the City of London for the First Colony in Virginia."
The territorial limits granted by this charter extended along the sea
coast 200 miles in each direction, northward and soutliward from Cape
or Point Comfort, "and all that space and circuit of land lying from
the sea coast of the precincts aforesaid up into the land throughout from
sea to sea west and northwest." This modest gift of a tract 400 miles in
width, extending from the Atlantic to the Pacific, made by a king wliose
only right consisted in the fact that an Englisli subject had been the
first of white men to coast along its shore, or make short incursions up
a few of its rivers, has some .justification in the ignorance enjoyed by
the English of what extent of territory lay back of the sea coast. This
tract would extend about to 40 degrees north latitude and would not
include any portion of i\Iichigan, but a good deal of the Northwest
territory.
The claim of Massachusetts was based upon a charter from James
I to the "council established at Plymouth in the County of Devon, for
the planting, ruling, ordering and governing of New England in
America," dated November 3, 1620. This granted the territory "lying
and being in breadth from forty degrees of northerly latitude from the
equinoctial line to forty-eight degrees of said northerly latitude inclu-
sively, and in length of and within all the breadth aforesaid through-
out the main land from sea to sea, together also with all the firm land,
soils, grounds, havens, ports, rivers, waters, fishings, mines and min-
erals," and would include the entire State of ]\Iichigan, and as will be
noticed, if King James owned it, the Plymouth council obtained all
there was of much value.
In March, 1628, the Council of Plymouth sold to Sir Henry Ros-
well and his associates that part of their grant lying between the paral-
lels passing through a point three miles north of the mouth of the
Merrimac river and a point three miles south of the mouth of Charles
HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY 65
river and extending westward to the Pacific. Tiiis sale was confirmed
by Charles I in March, 1629, to Roswell and his associates incoi-porated
as the Governor and Company of JMassachusetts Bay in New England.
Its territory would be a narrow strip about thirty-five miles wide, and
would cover the lower half of St. Clair county.
In 1684 the charter of ^lassachusetts was vacated and in October,
1691, a new charter was granted by AVilliaiii and ^lary consolidating the
colonies of Massachusetts Bay, New Plymouth, Maine and Acadia, or
Nova Scotia, and the intervening territory into one colony under the
name of Massachusetts Bay. By this charter the territory of the colony
was largely increased so that from the east line of Connecticut west-
ward it would include the land from sea to sea between parallels 42° and
42° 40' north latitude, or a somewhat wider strip in lower ^Michigan
than before.
Connecticut Claim
In 1680 the Council of Plymouth made a grant of another part of
its territory to the Earl of AVarwick, which was by him transferred on
March 19, 1630, to Lord Say and Seal and Lord Brooke. This grant
covered that part of New England west of the Narraganset river "ex-
tending the space of forty leagues upon a straight line near the sea
shore toward the south and west as the coast lieth toward Virginia, ac-
counting three English miles to the league, and also all and singular
the lands and tenements whatsoever lying and being within the lands
aforesaid north and south in latitude and in breadth and length and
longtiude of and within all the breadth aforesaid throughout the main
lands therefrom the Western Ocean (Atlantic) to the South Sea."
In April, 1662, Charles II granted the charter of Connecticut, which
consolidated all the settlements within its limits into one colony by the
name of "the governor and Company of the English Colony in Connec-
ticut in America. ' ' The limits of this colony were described as ' ' all that
part of our dominions in New England in America bounded on the east
by Narragansett River, commonly called Narragansett Bay, where the
said river falleth into the sea, and on the north by the line of the Alas-
sachusetts' plantation and on the south by the sea; and in longitude as
the line of the Massachusetts' colony running from east to west, that is to
say, from the said Narragansett Bay on the east to the South Sea on the
west part, with the islands thereunto adjoining." This would include
all the lower part of Michigan south of the Massachusetts line.
This was then the situation of the so called northwestern lands at
the beginning of the year 1781 ; a few posts were occupied by the Eng-
lish with small cultivated settlements around them, but practically the
entire territory was in the roaming occupancy of the Indians, who had
a few settlements of their own, while the title to it all was claimed by
several of the colonies under grants from English kings made in igno-
rance of the character and extent of land westward of the Appalachian
mountains.
These conflicting claims on the part of the colonies Avho were en-
gaged in their life and death struggle for independence, seemed likely
Vol. 1—5
66 HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY
to produce much dissension and trouble among themselves, but hap-
pily a way out was found through the ceding by each of the colonies
interested of its rights in these western lands.
New York, which claimed under its deed from the Six Nations, led
the way, and in March, 1781, her delegates in congress conveyed all
her claims outside the present limits of the state to the Confederated
States, and this cession was accepted by the congress of the Confedera-
tion, October 29, 1782.
The next state to follow this patriotic action was Virginia, which
after some delay, on March 1, 1784, through its delegates in congress,
ceded to the Confederation all its right, title and claim to the tract
of country lying to the northwest of the River Ohio with certain ex-
ceptions.
On November 13, 1784, Massachusetts authorized her delegates in
congress to cede her claim to the western lands to the Confederation,
and congress having agreed to accept the cession, the delegates on April
19, 1785, executed a formal deed to the United States of America of
all her right, title and estate to these lands.
But one state remained which had made any claim to land now in-
cluded in Michigan, and on September 13, 1786, the delegates from
Connecticut granted and ceded to the United States all the right, title,
interest, jurisdiction and claim of the state of Connecticut to its west-
ern lands, except the so-called AYestern Reserve in Ohio.
England in the meantime having by the treaty of 1783 ceded all
its rights and claims to the United States, the latter now united in itself
all claims or rights of every kind to this land except such as might
be recognized as belonging to the Indians.
Under authority of congress, a proclamation was issued September
22, 1783, prohibiting all persons "making settlements on lands claimed
by Indians without the limits or jurisdiction of any particular state,
and from purchasing or receiving any gift or cession of such lands or
claims without the express authority and direction of the United States
in congress assembled."
The Articles of Confederation gave to congress sole power to manage
affairs with the Indians, but this provision was not carried into the new
constitution, and in its conduct with the Indians the congress of the
United States under the constitution acted under its general powers
and from the beginning until 1871 congress pursued the uniform course
of extinguishing the Indian title only with the consent of those tribes
which were recognized as having claim to the soil by reason of occu-
pancy.
Indian Treaties Affecting the County
The first treaty made with the Indians affecting land in St. Clair
county w^as with the Ottawa, Chippewa, Wyandot and Potawatomie
tribes, and was made at Detroit by Governor William Hull, November
17, 1807. By this treaty those tribes ceded to the United States all
claim to the following described tract of country, viz. : Beginning at
the mouth of the Miami river of the lakes (Maumee river) and run-
ning thence up the middle thereof to the mouth of the great Au Glaize
HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY 67
river, thence due north until it intersects a parallel of latitude to be
drawn from the outlet of Lake Huron, which forms the River Sin-
clair, thence running northeast the course that may be found will lead
in a direct line to White Rock in Lake Huron, thence due east until it
intersects the boundary line between the United States and Upper
Canada in said lake, thence southwardly following the said boundary
line down said lake through the River Sinclair, Lake St. Clair and the
River Detroit into Lake Erie to a point due east of the aforesaid Miami
river, thence west to the place of beginning."
From this grant there were made several reservations, including
six sections of one mile square each, to be in such situations as the said
Indians should elect, subject to the approval of the president of the
United States. Under this provision and acting under the direction of
Governor Hull, Aaron Greeley, the government surveyor of private
claims, surveyed and located two tracts within the county of St. Clair,
one tract of 1,200 acres upon the south side of Black river, near its
mouth, and one tract of 5,760 acres at the mouth of Swan creek of
Lake St. Clair.
This treaty was signed by seventeen Chippewa chiefs, five Ottawas,
five Potawatomies, and three Wyandots, probably expressing in some
degree the relative numbers of the Indians affected by the treaty.
The tract granted by the treaty included about six million acres
within the state of Michigan, and its west line was subsequently adopted
as the principal meridian of Michigan, in the system of public surveys,
and forms the western line of the counties of Lenawee, Shiawassee and
Saginaw.
By the treaty of 1807 the United States became the sole and abso-
lute owner of all the land within the boundaries of the treaty, except
the reservations, and also except the obligations arising from the treaty
with Great Britain of 1794, by which it was agreed that British sub-
jects holding lands in the territories of the United States should con-
tinue to hold them according to the nature and terms of their respec-
tive estates and title, but what that title was to land in this section of
country was very uncertain. In Detroit and vicinity there were per-
sons occupying land under grants from French authorities made prior
to 1760, under deeds from Indians, and under British grants.
Reports of Indian Agent Jouett and Judge Woodward
The United States did not obtain possession of this region until
July, 1796, and although there was considerable clamor to have con-
gress adopt some system by which land titles could be adjusted and
settled, matters proceeded very slowly. In 1803 C. Jouett, the Indian
agent at Detroit, was instructed to report on the claims to land in his
district. In following out his instructions he evidently proceeded to
visit all the settlements from Otter creek below Detroit, up along Lake
St. Clair, and St. Clair river, and in a report dated July 25, 1803, he
describes with some fullness the existing situation. The part of his
report relating to St. Clair county is as follows : ' ' From the salt springs
(which are located on a small stream four miles east of Huron river
and three miles up the stream), to the mouth of the River Sinclair,
68 HISTORY OF ST. CLAIE COUNTY
the lands are rather too low and marshy. Two Canadian families have
notwithstanding settled on them, who took j^ossession of the spots they
respectively occupy in the year 1801.
"From the mouth of the River Sinclair (by which he means the
North channel from its entrance into Anchor bay), six miles up, are
twelve farms that front the river in the usual manner from three to
four and five acres, and forty back, none exceeding in quantity 240.
This land differs from the face of this country generally. Its soil
possesses every mark of poverty, sandy and low in the extreme. Noth-
ing exists to recommend this settlement except its bordering on one of
the most delightful rivers in the western world. The only pretension
these people have to their farms is derived from a simpk^" possession
taken unobtrusively in the years 1780, 1785. and 1790. They are all
Canadians (meaning of French descent). From this settlement for
twelve miles up the river not a vestige of a house can be seen, owing,
I suppose, to its being for that distance a perfect barren, AVhen you
are suddenly and agreeably surprised Avith a presentation of fertile
and well improved farms, edging the river to the extent of ten miles
to the amount of twenty-five farms now uiuler cultivation and laid off
on the river as other settlements in this country, with this difference,
that the claimants extend their farms ten and twenty acres in front of
the river and in two instances from forty-five to fifty, all running back
to one rear line which is by survey forty acres. Three thousand seven
hundred and fiftj^-nine acres of this land were purchased of the In-
dians by Patrick Sinclair, British commandant at Fort Sinclair, in
the year 1765, who held it until the year 1782, during that time de-
riving from it a considerable profit as a pinery. In the year 1782 he
left this country and gave it by deed of gift to a Canadian by the
name of Vatiren. who sold it in the year 1784, by the auetioneei- at
public sale, at which time Aleldrum & Park, a mercantile house of this
country, became the purchasers, who have since that period claimed
it as their property, and erected upon it valuable improvements. There
are, notwithstanding, five families upon it besides a tenant of Meldrum
& Park, who forcibly settled farms they severally occupy, in the year
1800. The other nineteen farmers claim under Indian deeds, in the
years 1780 and 1782.
"The River Sinclair is in length forty-five miles and in beauty and
convenience of navigation preferable to Detroit, though it is not quite
as wide. Such is its transparency that the eye can distinguish at its
bottom in fifteen feet of water, the most minute object. In it there are
no shoals and in depth, generally five and six fathoms."
In March, 1805, congress passed an act providing for the appoint-
ment of commissioners to examine the claims of persons claiming lands
in the district of Detroit, and for the filing of notice of claim by such
persons, whether the claim be made under grants from the French
or British governments, or by virtue of actual possession and improve-
ment or for any other account whatever. Claims were reciuired to be,
filed b}^ the first of November following.
In reply to inquiry made by Albert Gallatin, secretary of the
treasury. Judge W'^odward, the presiding .judge of the territory of
HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY 69
Michigan, made a report dated January 4, 1806. He divides the titles
of the lands in the territory into six classes. No. 5, consisting of oc-
cupancies without any permission whatevei', ])ut accomj)anied by un-
disturbed possession, together with extinguishment of native right by
individuals, while the country belonged to Great Britian. No. 6 con-
sisting of occupancies and extinguishments of native rights liy indi-
viduals since the country has appertained to tlie United States, and
states that along and north of Lake St. Clair in a country of which
the Indian title is not yet clearly extinguished by the government of
the United States, there are 123 farms claimed under these two classes
of title.
In a supplemental report dated January 17, 1806, Judge AVoodward
refers to the proclamation of the English king made in 1763, restrict-
ing the extinguishment of native title, but states that notwithstanding
this proclamation the British officers and subjects continued to make
purchases and settlements, and cites the case of Patrick Sinclair, com-
mandant of Fort Sinclair, who purchased 4,000 acres from the Indians
in 1765, and says in 1780 there \vere four settlements made at Pointe
au TremlJe, in 1782 there were nineteen settlers adjacent to the tract
of Patrick Sinclair, in 1785 four settlers were added to those at Pointe
au Tremble, and in 1790 a few more were added to the last settlement,
in 1800 and 1801 about six families were added to those on the River
Sinclair. During all this time great anxiety existed among the people
to ol)tain regular titles.
In December, 1805, the commissioners of the district of Detroit
made their report, and in March, 1806, Judge Woodward made an
examination of their report for the benefit of congress, and among other
things reported "though it is more than twenty years since the right
of the United States to the territory of Michigan was acquired, thougli
twelve years have elapsed since the possession under that right has been
made secure and though the actual possession is of ten years' duration,
yet there exists at this day in a country nearl.y a century and a half
old, and nearly a quarter of a century the property of the United
States, only eight legal titles to land, and those still wearing the fet-
ters of antiquated despotism." He then recommends the confirmation
to the occupants, who were mainly poor Canadians — meaning tliose
of French descent — of the land occupied by them up to 640 acres.
Congressional Regulation op^ Titles
All these considerations finally induced congress to act, and ^March
3, 1807, an act was approved to regulate grants of land in the territory
of ]\Iichigan, and on April 25, 1808, after the Indian rights to this
section had been obtained, a supplemental act was approved for the
same purpose.
Under these acts every person claiming lands within tliat part of
Michigan Territory, to which the Indian title had been extinguished,
either by virtue of any legal grant made by the French government
prior to February 10, 1763 — the date of the treaty of Paris — or of any
legal grant made by the British government after the treaty of Paris.
70 HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY
and prior to the treaty of peace, September 3, 1783, and every person
in the actual possession, occupancy and improvement of any tract or
parcel of land in his own right at the time of the passing of the act
which tract or parcel Avas settled, occupied and improved prior to
July 1, 1796, and the occupancy had continued up to the passing of
the act, should be confirmed in the title to the land as an estate of in-
heritance in fee simple, provided that the tract claimed should not ex-
ceed 640 acres.
The act further proAaded for a board of commissioners to whom
the claimants should present evidence of their claim, and who should
have power to hear and decide in a summary manner all matters re-
specting said claims. They should keep minutes of their proceedings
and decisions and give to claimants entitled to them, certificates stating
the land to which they were entitled. The tracts were then to be
surveyed and upon return to the secretary of the treasury, patents
should issue. The time for filing these claims was set for January 1,
1809. Subsequently in 1820 the powers of the commissioners were re-
vived and claimants given further time to file notice of their claims
and this time was again extended to November 1, 1823. Under the re-
vived commission, however, the board was required to report its find-
ings and conclusions to congress, and did not have the power itself of
final decision, but in April, 1828, congress passed an act that all claims
purporting to be confirmed or recommended for confirmation by the
commissioners, should be confirmed. Under the acts of 1807 and 1808
the commissioners sat at Detroit, and many claims were presented.
Records were kept as prescribed by the acts, and when Detroit was
surrendered to the British in 1812, these records fell into their hands
and were not all restored at the termination of the war. The first
meeting was held June 29, 1807, and the last meeting of which the
records are preserved was held February 28, 1811, when adjournment
was taken to the next morning. During this time 738 claims were pre-
sented to the board, of which forty-six related to land in St. Clair
county. Of these claims all were allowed, generally for the amount
claimed, except seven, and possibly some of these may have been al-
lowed, although there is now no evidence upon the subject.
Land Claims in the County
When the commission was revived there were presented sixteen
claims for land in St. Clair county and of these thirteen were allowed
or recommended for confirmation. The total number of claims pre-
sented before both boards was 754 and the number of claims presented
for land in St. Clair county was sixty-two, of which fifty-two were al-
lowed, granting a total acreage of about 19,500 acres. Nine claims for
land in St. Clair county were allowed upon the testimony of Jean Marie
Beaubien, who was himself a claimant.
Although none of the claimants based any rights upon the conveyances
from the Indians, yet as a matter of fact in a good proportion of the
cases the original possession had been taken under such conveyances,
which, when obtained, were for the most part in direct opposition to the
HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY 71
proclamation of the English king, and the acts of congress of the Con-
federation. Apparently in two cases some attempt was made to obtain
the official sanction of the English government. Patrick Sinclair, about
1765 received a deed from the Indians which he stated in 1783 to have
been executed in the presence of the officer commanding at Detroit, and
of his majesty's Indian agent, and also to have been authorized by Gen-
eral Gage, commander-in-chief of the English forces in America.
Subsequently in 1795 George ^Meldrum and "William Park, merchants
of Detroit, obtained a confirmation of this grant by another deed from
the Chippewas, signed by twenty-seven chiefs. This tract as described
in the subsequent deed, began at a creek opposite the end of Stag island,
called Isecorse river, then down St. Clair river to a point about two
miles above the entrance of Belle river, extending back four miles in
depth, containing as surveyed 33,759 acres.
In 1780 five chiefs conveyed a large tract immediately north of and
adjoining the Sinclair tract, to Duperon Baby, of Detroit, a prominent
and influential French trader, who afterwards became Indian agent
and member of the Hesse Land Board. This tract began at the lower end
of Isle an Cerf, or Stag island, thence up river to Lake Huron, thence
along the lake two leagues and up Riviere Du Lhud or Black river "as
far as said river is navigable for rafting timber, the whole tract 5
leagues in depth." This deed is certified to before a justice of the peace
at Detroit, and A. S. De Peyster, major of King's regiment, commanding
at Detroit.
Other deeds of considerable amounts of land along St. Clair river
were given by the Indians at about the same time, in a number of cases
the same land was granted two or three times. Thus deeds were given
to William Tucker, Jr., a son of William Tucker, official interpreter for
the Chippewas, and highly regarded by them ; to Alexander D.yce,
Thomas Cox, and his wife, Margaret; Thomas Williams, James Thomp-
son, Meldrum & Park, all merchants of Detroit ; to George Cottrell. then
a dealer in furs, afterwards a prominent man in this county ; to Thomas
Smith, afterwards member of the Hesse Land Board ; to Richard Corn-
wall, a master shipbuilder; to James ]\Iay, a very prominent official in
Detroit ; to Bernardus James and William Harsen ; to Graveraet and
Fontenoy, and to a few others. These deeds all purported to be in con-
sideration of the good will experienced by the Indians toward the
grantees, and while with the possible exception of the Sinclair and Baby
deeds they were of no validity whatever, they did furnish in a number
of cases, by reason of the possession taken under them, the basis of the
claim made to the United States authorities under the act of 1808. Thus
George Cottrell went into possession under his Indian deed as did Mel-
drum and Park in several places, obtaining a grant for each place they
could prove possession of, and in several other cases there had been a
transfer of rights to the claimant by a grantee from the Indians.
When the proceedings were taken before the Land Board in 1808
and following years, evidently there was little formality. Each claimant
was required to file a claim stating in general terms its location, boun-
daries, and amount of land included. In most eases the claim was iu
72 HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY
terms of arpents, thus, on July 1, 1808, Pierre Mini entered his claim
for a tract of land on St. Clair river as follows :
''Detroit, July 1, 1808. To Peter Audrain, Register of the Laud
Office at Detroit. Sir: Take notice that I now enter with the Com-
missioners of the Land Office at Detroit m,y claim to a tract of land
situate on the River St. Clair, containing six arpents in front by forty
in depth, bounded in front by said River St. Clair, in rear by uncou-
eeded lands, above by Francois Chartier, and below by unconceded
lands. I claim and I set up title by virtue of long possession, occupancy,
and improvements made liy me or those from whom I derive title.
his
Pierre x j\Iini.
mark."
"AVitness, Peter Audraix.
After hearing the testimony offered, the record continues: "And
thereupon it doth appear to the Commissioners that the claimant is
entitled to the above described tract of land, and that he have a certifi-
cate thereof which certificate shall be No. 203. and that he cause the
same to be surveyed and a plot of the survej^ with the quantity of land
therein contained, to be returned to the Register of the Land Office at
Detroit."
An arpent \vas a French measure of area, somewhat smallei' tlian
the English acre, but for purposes of convenience it was generally
reckoned as substantially equivalent to the acre, although in fact it is
about eight per cent less. The allowance by the commissioners and tlie
subsequent patents issued by the United States all state the quantity
granted in terms of acres.
The claims presented to the Land Board of 1808 are as follows, be-
ginning at the southwest corner of the county, the line between the
counties of St. Clair and Macomb cutting through the two first claims :
No. 614. Francois ]Marsac. 12 acres wide by 40 deep. Allowed on
testimony of Pierre Yax, that he had been in possession before July 1.
1796, and that it was sold to claimant in February, 1808. In this deed
the land is described as situated "on Pointe au Cotoner, " or at the
Cotton point.
No. 627. Pierre Yax, 12 arpents by 40. Allowed on testimony of
Louis Champagne that claimant was in possession Jul^^ 1, 1796, and had
about five acres under cultivation.
No. 203. Pierre J\Iini, 6 arpents hy 40. Allowed on testimony of
Antoine Nicholas Petit as to requisite possession.
No. 311. Pierre Delorme, 3 arpents by 40. Allowed on testimony
of Francois Chartier, that on July 1. 1796, Jacques Toulouse was in
possession, who afterwards sold to one Reynier, who sold to Brindamour.
who in turn conveyed to claimant.
In a return of the taxable property in St. Clair township in Septem-
ber, 1802, at that time a part of Wayne county, Jacques Toulouse appears
as a taxpayer, probably of this propert.y. The Brindamour is the same
HISTORY OF ST. Cl.AlK COUNTY 73
man who occupied at an early date land in what is now the city of
Port Huron, and is described in his deed as carpenter, of River St. Clair.
One of the witnesses to the deed to claimant is Marie Racine, the daniuch-
ter and sole heir of Jean Baptiste Racine, through whom the land in-
cluded within Thorn's Plat in Port Huron was obtained by Thorn.
No. 198. Ignace Champagne, 4 arpents by 40. Allowed on testi-
mony of William Hill as to occupancy. In the tax list of 1S()2 the
claimant appears.
No. 309. Francois Chartier, Sr., 3 arpents by 40. Allowed on testi-
mony of Jean ]\Iarie Beaubien that claimant had been in [)()ssessi()n since
1791 or 1792. The name of this claimant, as of many other of the early
French names, has been changed and corrupted so as to be scarcely
recognizable. As now commonly spelled and pronounced, it appears as
Shirkey. This claimant also appears on the T802 tax roll.
No. 202. Pierre ^lini, 6 arpents by 40. Allowed on lestimuny that
claimant had been in possession for more than 20 years. He also was
on the tax list of 1802.
No. 30]. Joseph Bassinet, 3 arpents by 40. Allowed on testimony
of J. M. Beaubien as to possession. The name of this claimant has in
the process of time become Basney, in which form it now generally
appears. Bassinet was in the tax list of 1802.
No. 196. Heirs of Jacob Hill. 6 acres by 40. Allowed on testimony
of Ignace Champagne. Jacob Hill was living in 1802, as his name ap-
pears on the tax list under the form Jacob Hie, the list being made by
Louis Campau, a Frenchman.
No. 732. ]\Ieldrum and Park. 3 acres by 40. Allowed on testimcMiy
of Jean Semar.
No. 197. Heirs of Jacob Hill, 3 acres by 40. Allowed on same
testimony as No. 196.
No. 190. Alex Harrow, 8 acres by 40. Allowed on testimony of
Ignace Champagne that Louis Champagne had occupied the land before
July 1, 1796, and in 1797 he had sold it to one Pratt, wdio sold it the
same year to the claimant, who appears in the 1802 tax list as Alex
Harris, employing two hired men and owning three horses and six
cow^s, one of the largest taxpayers in the township.
No. 200. James Harrow, 16 acres by 40. Allowed on testimony of
George Cottrell. This claimant was a son of Alex.
No. 188. Alex Harrow, 16 acres bv 40. Allowed on same testimony
as No. 200.
No. 245. Toussaint Chovin, 3 acres by 40. Allowed on testimony
of Jean Simare.
No. 338. James Cartwright, 6 acres by 40. William Thorn fur-
nished the necessary evidence of occupancy. Cartwright purchased from
Alex Harrow in 1796.
No. 191. Samuel Cribble. 4 acres by 40. This claimant also i)ur-
chased from Alex Harrow, and the evidence of possession was furnished
by George Cottrell.
No. 253. William Thorn. 7 '4 acres ])y 40. Allowed upon the evi-
74 HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY
denee of George Meldrum. In the tax list of 1802 this clainiant is
credited with one hired man, two horses and six cows.
No. 252. Heirs of John Wright, 4^4 arpents by 40. Allowed upon
the testimony of George ^Meldrum that Wright was in possession many
years before 1796.
No. 568. James Robison, 6^ acres by 40. The name of this claim-
ant was properly Robertson and allowance was made on the testimony
of William Hill. The name appears on the tax list of 1802.
No. 206. Antoine Nicholas Petit, 7 arpents by 40. Allowed upon
the testimony of Joseph Mini that the land had been occupied con-
tinuously from before July 1, 1796 by Antoine I\Iini, Robert IMcNiff
and Joseph Rowe and claimant.
No. 204. Heirs of Antoine Mini, 6^ acres by 40. The testimony of
Antoine Nicholas Petit indicated that Mini and his family had been in
possession since 1788 or longer.
No. 186. George Cottrell, 10 acres by 40. Cottrell had gone into
possession of this and Claim No. 188 under a deed from the Indians
made in 1781, and this claim was allowed for 300 acres on the testimony
of Alex Harrow. Cottrell is in the tax list of 1802 with two hired men,
four horses and sixteen cows, and with one exception is the largest prop-
erty holder in the township.
No. 308. Jean Baptiste Daunay. 3 arpents by 40. Possession
shown of Joseph Amln-oise Tremble before 1796, followed by that of
Beaubien, Jean Baptiste Yax and claimant. Allowed.
No. 187. George, Jr., Henry, John, James, David Cottrell, 16 acres
by 40. This claim was nuide by George Cottrell in the name of his sons,
and allowed upon the same testimony as No. 186, for 400 acres.
No. 598. Heirs of Jean Le]\Iay, 5 acres by 100. Possession estab-
lished by testimony of Joseph Robitaille.
No. 358. Meldum and Park, 10 acres by 30. Harry Saunders and
Peter Curry testified to possession of this tract for the necessary time.
Saunders was a negro, who was for a long time the servant or slave of
Meldrum and Park, merchants of Detroit, and it is said they gave him
the use of this farm during his life, and certain it is that they did not
sell it until after his death. At the time of the proof of claim in 1808
there were 50 acres enclosed. On the tax list of 1802 appears Henry
le negre assessed with one horse and one cow.
No. 243. Jean ]\Iarie Beaubien, 16 acres by 40. Allowed upon the
testimony of Toussaint Chovin. Beaubien had in 1781 obtained, with
Meldrum and Park, a deed from the Indians to a large tract, and had
occupied more than one parcel. This claimant appears in the tax- list
of 1802, and in August, 1805, was commissioned by Governor Hull, a
justice of the peace, and the following month he was appointed lieu-
tenant of a militia companj^ to be composed of the men living along
the river from Lake Huron to Lake St. Clair. This tract was in 1815
sold to Andrew AVestbrook, who occupied it as his home farm.
No. 302. Joseph Ricard, 3}^ arpents by 40. Allowed upon testi-
mony of George Meldrum, that this had been part of the Meldrum and
Park land (see above), and sold by them to claimant in 1806. It had
been occupied by Lariviere and Gerard as tenants.
HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY 75
No. 310. Oliver Ricard, 4 arpents by 40. Allowed on testimony of
Francois Chartier, Sr., that J. M. Beaubien had been in possession prior
to July 1, 1796, and continued until he sold to claimant in 1802.
No. 303. Jean Marie Beaubien, 16 arpents by 40. Allowed on testi-
mony of George Meldrum.
Nos. 304, 305, 306, 307 — Were claims originally belonging to Mel-
drum and Park, but presented and allowed for 640 acres each in the
names of four sons of George Meldrum, named respectively, John,
James, William and David Meldrum. These claims were part of the
tract purchased by Meldrum and Park from Patrick Sinclair, near the
mouth of Pine river, and for which later in 1795 they obtained a deed
from the Indians. Nos. 304 and 305 front on St. Clair river. Nos. 306
and 307 are along Pine river and back of the other two. The proof
regarding possession of this claim was furnished by Jean IMarie Beau-
bien, who testified that Meldrum and Park had occupied No. 304 by
tenants since before July 1, 1796 ; upon this claim south of Pine river
was the big house — probably the one built by Sinclair. These same
tenants also used No. 305, which before July 1, 1796, was used by George
Knaggs as tenant. Hay was cut every year on No. 306 and five or six
acres cultivated. The claim presented for No. 307 describes it as being
where there was formerly a large and commodious water grist and saw-
mill, built in the year 1793, and consumed by fire in 1803. Beaubien
testified that the claimants were in possession before 1796 and the build-
ings were consumed by fire in 1803, which occurred, according to tradi-
tion, at a time when all the people were at Detroit attending some
church ceremony.
Although the claim was granted because of the occupancy through
these buildings, it happened that when these claims were surveyed the
permitted amount of land, 640 acres to a claim, w^as laid off, and the
location of these improvements left outside the lines, and they fell within
the lines of section 27, St. Clair township.
No. 406. JMeldrum and Park, 30 acres by 20. Allowed on testimony
of Jean Simare that before July, 1796, cliamants were in possession by
tenants Rene, Tremble and others. After that Ignace Krisler and Jean
Baptiste Deschamps occupied it.
No. 255. Meldrum and Park, 20 acres by 30. In the notice of claim
this tract is described as bounded on the south by Mill creek. J. M.
Beaubien testified that in 1790 apple trees were planted, houses built
and a saw-mill erected and that the claimants had continued to occupy
it from that time.
No. 244. Francois Bonhomme, 16 arpents by 40. Allowed on testi-
meny of J. M. Beaubien that before 1796 Pierre Bonhomme was in
possession and that claimant had occupied since 1802.
No. 357. Antoine Lasalle, Jr., 16 arpents by 40. Allowed on testi-
mony of Charles Pouier that Alexander Bouvier was in possession from
1785 to 1808, when he sold to claimant.
Of the claims presented to the land board in 1808, relating to land
in St. Clair county, seven were disallowed.
No. 189. Alexander Harrow, 16 acres by 40. The evidence offered
76 HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY
was that the land had been used for meadow since 1796 but there were
no improvements. Claim rejected.
No. 201. John Harrow, 16 acres by 40. Rejected on same testimony
as No. 189.
No. 457. John McGregor, 3 acres b}^ 80. Bounded northeast by
Jacques Toulouse, southwest by Jacob Thomas ; no evidence was pro-
duced or action taken by the board.
No. 642. Francois Fonteno}', 6j.j arpeuts by 40. Rejected as testi-
mony of George Cottrell, Ignace ^Morass and Jean Baptiste Comparet did
not show continuous possession. The father of chiimant had a deed from
the Indians.
No. 666. Pierre Bonome, 8 arpents by 40. Situate on the River a
Dulu. Testimony was taken of Joseph ]\Ioras that his father, Antoine,
was in possession before July 1. 1796. The record does not show any
action taken on this claim, and it was presented before the revived lioard
in 1821.
No. 676. James Baby, 16 acres by 40. Eiglit acres on each side of
his saw-mill situate on River a Gervais, bounded in front by River St.
Clair. George ^leldrum testified that a saw-mill bad lieeii erected on the
premises before 1790, and that Negig, an Indian cliief. had lived on it
for six years before his death in 1809. J. ^I. Beaubien testified that
for thirty years (before 1810) he had k]K)\\ii the premises to belong to
the Baby family; tliat tbey were known and callt'd P>aby's mills ])y
the whites and Indians. Further hearing of tliis claim was [)ostp()ned.
No. 677. James Baby. 16 acres by 40. Bounded in front by River
St. Clair, on the upper side by River a Dulu. Francois Ricard testified
that many years previous to July. 1796. claimant was in possession.
This claim was also jiostponed. and no final action appears on the records
preserved, although the evidence seems as conclusive as in many of the
others which were allowed. James Baby Mas a son of Dujieron Bab3\
who obtained a deed of land from the Indians whidi included tbese
claims in 1780, and who died in 1790.
At the meeting of the revived board, in 1821. Pierre BonboniiHc ])re-
sented three claims :
No. 1. Six arpents in front bv 40 deep, bovmded in front bv River
St. Clair.
Pierre Brandimore testified that Ruse Lovielle was in possession of
the land near where Fort Gratiot was then standing (1821) about 1794;
he occupied it until he sold to claimant. Pierre Lovielle testified that
he took possession of the land in the fall of 1792 and built a house and
raised crops, and sold to claimant in 1799. Jean Baptist Cavitor^^ testi-
fied that he made the deed from Lovielle to claimant; there was then a
house, stable and blacksmith's shop on the premises.
The commissioners on this testimony confirmed the claim, but ob-
served that Fort Gratiot stood upon the land ; but as the claim was made
in 1808 it was before the land had been reserved for military purposes.
No. 2. This is the same claim as No. 666 before the former board.
In addition to the testimony taken then. Alexander Beauvin testified
HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COl NTY 77
tluit claimant had been then (1821) in possession of the land for 20
years. This claim was confirmed, provided the eastern boundary should
not come nearer to Lake Huron than ten arpents. Tliis claim was in-
I'luded within tlie Fort Gratiot military reservation, and does not seem
to have been patented, although it was surveyed by the United States
district surveyor in 1828.
No. 3. Land on the south side of River a Delude, 16 arpents in
front by 40 in depth. This claim was filed in 1808 but no action taken.
In 1810 Alexander Beauvin testified that claimant had been in pos-
session for sixteen years. In 1821 Pierre Brandimore testified that about
1791 he took possession of this land, fenced in and cleared two acres,
and two years later sold it to claimant.
The board confirmed the claim but referred to the fact that it was
within the Chippewa reservation. After the reservation was bought b.v
the United States in 1836, this land was by act of congress, authorized
to be patented to Joseph Campau, assignee of Bonhonune.
No. 4. John Askin claimed a tract five acres wide by 150 deep
situate on border of River St. Clair at a place called the Bell river.
The claim had been presented to the first board and rejected, and no
new testimony being offered it was again rejected.
Nos. 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 were for Harsen's Island in claims of 640 acres
each to Francis, "William and Jacob Ilarsen and JMary Stewart; Francis
also having one claim as assignee of his brother James.
The evidence of William Thorn was that he knew of the occupation
by Jacob Harsen, the father, in 1786, and it had been continued. All
the claims were confirmed.
The same land ])oard considered another class of cases: Those in
\vhich a strong equity appeared although the claim was not filed within
the time required by the act reviving the board. Such claims as relate
to land in St. Clair count}' were:
No. 1. Victor jMorass, 640 acres on south side of River Dulude,
bounded on the lower side by the Chippewa reservation.
Pierre Bonhomme testified that in 1798 Antoine IMorass was in pos-
session of this tract and had a saw-mill which was then in operation.
Jean Baptiste Deschamps testified that before 1796 Antoine ]\Iorass had
a mill and lived on the tract. Ignace Morass testified that as early as
1792 his father, Antoine, built a mill on this tract on Gorse creek.
Pierre Brandimore also testified, and the board recommended this claim
for confirmation except such part as was included in the public surveys
and already sold, but no patent ever issued to the claimant. In 1854
congress passed an act allowing JMorass to enter without payment at
any land office in INIichigan, 280 acres upon his releasing this claim.
No. 2. Victor ^lorass, 640 acres on border of River St. Clair, to be
laid out in a square form and to include th(> mouth of Baby creek as
near the center of the front as may be practicable.
This is practically the same land as is included in the James Baby
claim, No. 676, to the former board. In that claim the creek is called
River a Gervais, while in this it is called Baby creek, and later became
known as Bunce creek, its present name. A part of this land was that
78 HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY
upon whicli Z. "W. Bunce settled in 1817, and purchased from the
government in 1818, and he was in possession at the time of these pro-
ceedings before the land board.
To support the Morass claim, Ignaee Morass testified that about 1786
his father, Antoine, built a house and saw-mill on Babj^'s creek and
cleared two or three acres of land.
Pierre Bonhomme testified that in 1793 or 1794 he worked for
Antoine ]\Iorass, who was in possession of land on which there was a saw-
mill — ^the land now in possession of ]\Ir. Bewel (probably a misprint
for Bunce).
Jean Baptiste Deschamps testified that before 1796 there was an
improvement and mill on the tract. It appearing that the greater part
of the land had been sold, the board recommended the confirmation of
other land to the claimant, but this does not seem to have been done.
No. 3. Jean Marie Beaubien, land in sections 17 and IS, to^Mishijj
5 north, range 17 east, fronting on River St. Clair.
Pierre Bonhomme testified that claimant was in possession and had
improvements on the land in 1793. This was corroborated by John
Baptiste Laderoute and Peter Livea. and tlie board recommended it for
confirmation to the extent of 640 acres, and the patent was issued to
Joseph Campau, assignee of claimant.
No. 4. Ann Smith, 1.500 acres, claimed under a purchase from
Richard Cornwall, who had a deed from the Indians. On the evidence
the claim was rejected, but the board recommended it because of claim-
ant's poverty, to the favorable review of congress, which, however, took
no action upon it.
No. 5. Angus McDonald. Land on Thompson's or Stromness (now
Dickinson) Island. 600 acres. AVilliam Harsen testified that in 1792
there were four improvements on the island, two belonging to Thompson
and two to Captain John Laughton.
William Thorn testified that in 1784 there were four farms on the
island occupied and improved.
Angus jMcDonald Avas a printer who had come from Scotland to Bal-
doon with the Earl of Selkirk's colony, and in 1800 had taken from
James Cartwright a bond for deed of this tract. The board, entertain-
ing doubts of this transfer, postponed action, and do not seem to have
afterwards acted upon it, except as sho-\\Ti in the following claim:
No. 6. Gage and Davenport. Land in Thompson's or Stromness
of Cartwright 's Island, which includes same land as No. 4. After hearing
considerable testimony regarding conflicting claims, the board recom-
mended the confirmation in such way as to preserve all rights.
Jean B. Racine had made claim for land on north side of Black river,
at its intersection vritli St. Clair river, but no record remains of it. In
1823 the board considered it and took the evidence of Pierre Bonhomme
that Racine, who was killed by the Indians in 1811 or 1812, had occupied
the property in 1801 or 1802, which he had bought from Alexis Bouvier,
the previous occupant.
The board recommended this for confirmation. It was this grant
which, through the daughter of Racine, came to John Thorn, and is
now Thorn's plat of Port Huron. It contained, when patented, only
HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY 79
59 acres, as on account of delay in the presenting of the claim, due
probably to the death of Racine, adjoining land, now included in But-
ler's plat, Port Huron, had been surveyed and sold by the government.
Aaron Greeley was appointed in 1807 surveyor of private claims,
and in that capacity he surveyed out the claims in this county in 1810.
In his surveys Mr. Greeley did not always pay the closest attention to
the boundaries stated in the claim, but in general he was careful to
give good measure. After completing his surveys he went to Washing-
ton to prepare his final certificates, maps, etc., and in 1812, while on his
return to Detroit, having in his possession many of the patents to the
private claims for delivery to the owners, he was captured by the British
near Maiden, and the papers taken and never returned. These patents,
however, were not of as much importance as in ordinary cases, as by
the terms of the act of 1808, title to the land became vested in the
claimant upon the favorable decision of the land board and the issue of
its certificate to that effect. The subsequent survey and issue of patent
by the government, while evidence of title, were not necessary.
From the foregoing it will be seen that the title to a large part of
the river and lake front of the county originated in possessions taken,
frequently under deeds from the Indians, from about 1780.
British Grant
The title to Dickinson's Island, of Stronmess, or Thompson's, or
Laughton's, or St. Clair's Island, has been held by the Michigan supreme
court to be presumptively based on a British grant, and under the treaty,
between the two countries entitled to recognition by the United States as
a complete title.
In September. 1780, five chiefs of the Chippewa nation executed to
James Thompson, a merchant of Detroit, a deed of the island called
Pakasanecayank, lying between the north and middle channels. It seems
probable that Thompson's deed was at least partly in the interest of
John Laughton, naval storekeeper for the British at Detroit, and who
gave the island the name Stromness, from a town on one of the Orkney
islands. Until 1821 it was generally understood that all the islands in
Lake St. Clair belonged to Canada, and no attempt was made by the
occupants of them to obtain confirmation of their title from the United
States. Don M. Dickinson succeeded, upon the death of his father, Asa
C. Dickinson, to all the old rights, and in 1895 the state of Michigan
brought suit against him to recover the island upon the claim that it
had acquired from the United States all the latter 's rights, which had
never passed to private ownership. Mr. Dickinson made a vigorous de-
fense, which was upheld by the Supreme Court, chiefly upon the ground
that from the fact of the Thompson deed, made in 1780 and then put on
record, the consetiuent knowledge of the British authorities to the claim,
the further fact that no attempt was ever made by the British to disturb
80 HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY
the Thonipson or Laiighton ijossession during all the time the island re-
mained under their jurisdiction, together with the fact that there were
several records lost covering the time in which the formal British con-
firmation of grant would have been made, and that no attempt was made
to sell the island to others, coupled with the long continuous possession of
more than a century, with claim of tith\ there was a reasonable presump-
tion that Thompson or Laughton did have a conveyance from the then
recognized source of title, the English government.
When the surveys of the private claims were completed in 1810, and
a map made of them, it showed two claims in the very southwest corner
of the county, through which the present county line runs, fronting on
Anchor bay. Ten claims in the present township of Clay, fronting on
the North channel, and two more above Algonac. fronting on St. Clair
river, twelve claims in the township of Cottrellville, five claims in
the township of East China, six claims in the city and township of St.
Clair, eight claims in the city of Port Huron, five claims on Plarsen's
Island and one on Stromness Island. Considera])le distances often in-
tervened between claims, and with the exception of the claims all the rest
of the county was unconceded and misurveyed land.
In 1807, Abijah Hull was appointed deputy surveyor of the United
States, and shortly after the Indian treaty made by Governor Hull he
received instructions from the surveyor general to run out and mark
the Indian boundary line, but shortly after resigned, and the line was
not surveyed until 1815.
SuRVFA' INTO Townships
By an act of congress, approved by Washington, May 8, 1796, the
sj^stem of rectangular surveys of public lauds into townships of six
miles square was firmly established. An act of March 26, 1804, author-
ized the opening of a land office at Detroit, and the sale of land in
quarter section tracts. There was not at that time, nor for fourteen
years afterward, any public land for sale at the Detroit office, as the
public land had not been surveyed. One cause of the delay was the
necessity of providing for and locating the private claims, but even after
their survey had been completed, it was four years before the survey
of the public lands in jMichigan began, and it was not until 1817 that
any of the lands in St. Clair country, except private claims, were sur-
veyed. During the .years 1817 and 1818 all the townships in the county
south of the north line of Port Huron township were surveyed, while
the townships north of that line were not surveyed until 1823, when
that work was done by Lucius Lyon, one of the first United States sen-
ators from Michigan.
Public and School Lands
Although there was a strong demand for the opening up to sale of
the public domain in Michigan, it was not until 1818 that such lands
were offered for sale. Under the laws then in force the price of all
land Avas two dollars per acre, one-fourth down, and the remainder in
HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY 81
tlie second, third and fourth years, with six per cent interest. But few
purchases were made in this county under those terms. Z. W. Bunco,
who had taken possession of the land the previous year, purchased hind
in sections 28 and 29 of Port Huron township. Solomon Sibley pur-
chased the land included within Butler's plat of the city of Port Huron.
Jean Baptiste Yax, Samuel Ward and Gabriel Richard, bouc:ht land in
section 1, and the heirs of Bazil Petit, land in section 12 in Cottrellville
township.
April 24, 1820, the law was amended, the price of public land was
reduced to $1.25 per acre, cash ; all credit being abolished, and that has
since remained the price in general ; with the exception of section 16
in each township, reserved for schools, all laud which had been surveyed
was open for sale at the fixed price. However, the sale of land in this
county proceeded very slowly. There were no sales between 1818 and
1822, and in the latter year but one, in 1823 two. in 1824 fourteen, and
in 1825 thirteen. In the latter year Hartford Tingie.y, of Providence,
R. I., appeared as the first land speculator on a large scale in the county,
purchasing about 3,500 acres in eighteen sections. For some years sales
languished. In 1826 there were but eight purchasers, in 1827 three,
in 1828 five, in 1829 two. From 1830 the tide began to rise and in 1836,
at the height of the speculative land fever then raging in the eastern
United States, and which was felt more in INIichigan than in any other
territory or state, there Avere nearly 200,000 acres of government land
purchased, almost half the entire county.
In the act of congress of June 23, 1836, relating to the admission
of the state of Michigan into the Union, it was provided that section 16
in every township should be granted to the state for the use of schools,
and that all salt springs within the state, not exceeding twelve in num-
ber, with six sections of land adjoining, or as contiguous as may be to
each, were granted to the state to be selected on or before January 1,
1840, to be used as the legislature might direct, but not to be sold or
leased for a longer period than ten years without the consent of con-
gress.
Under these provisions there passed to the state for school purposes
every section 16 in the county, in all 17,040 acres. These lands through-
out the state provided the basis of the primary school fund, which has
been of the utmost importance in establishing primary education.
Under the act, by what seems a somewhat liberal interpretation, the
state legislature selected for a part of the salt springs' land, seventeen
sections in the township of Emmett, although there is not known to be
a salt spring in that vicinity.
In 1847 congress authorized the state to sell the salt springs land
in such manner as the legislature might direct, and in 1852 congress
confirmed the selection by the state, of sections 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 9, 10, 11,
12, 14. 15, 17, 21. 22. 28 in township 7 north, range 14 east, in lieu of
tw^elve other sections incorrectly noted. In 1855 the state appropriated
this land, which amounted to 9,525 acres, for the benefit of the State
Agricultural School.
Vol. I—
82 HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY
Railroad Lands
June 3, 1856, congress granted in aid of a railroad from Grand
Haven and Pere Marquette (now Ludington), to Flint, and thence to
Port Huron, every alternate section of land designated by odd num-
bers for six sections in width on each side of said road, with provi-
sion for making up any deficiency caused by lands having been pre-
viously sold or otherwise appropriated. This grant was accepted by
the state by act approved February 14, 1857, which provided that the
lands granted by congress to aid in the construction of a railroad from
Grand Haven to Flint and thence to Port Huron vested in the Detroit
and Milwaukee Railway Company and in the Port Huron and Mil-
waukee Railroad Company. The eighth section of this act established
a board of control to manage and dispose of these lands.
This grant, so far as related to the Detroit and j\Iilwaukee Railway
Company, was declared forfeited by the board of control August 26,
1857. The Port Huron and ^Milwaukee Railway Company had been
incorporated in 1855 and it accepted the terms of the grant. It bought
property for terminals at Port Huron and graded a short distance
westward and then ceased operations. There was a Port Huron and
Lake Michigan Railroad Company incorporated in 1847, to construct
a railroad from Port Huron to some point at or near the mouth of
Grand river on Lake Michigan, and in 1866 the Port Huron and Lake
Michigan Railway Company was organized by AY. L. Bancroft, and this
company claimed to succeed to the rights of the Port Huron and ]\Iil-
waukee Railroad Company.
The act of 1856 had fixed the period of ten years in which the roads
receiving the grant must be completed, and as the Port Huron and
Milwaukee road had failed to comply with the terms of the act, it no
longer had any rights in the land. However, in 1869 Amos Gould, as
judgment creditor of that company, levied upon all the lands which
had been set aside for the railroad, and upon sale, became the pur-
chaser.
In 1871 the board of control decided that these lands should be
transferred to the Port Huron and Lake ^Michigan Railway Company,
which had then built a railroad from Port Huron to Flint, and on
May 30, 1873, the governor, in pursuance of the action of the board of
control, made a patent to the company of the lands, and the company
immediately deeded them to one William R. Bowes as trustee.
May 14, 1877, the state legislature passed an act ratifying and con-
firming the action of the board of control in conferring upon the Port
Huron and Lake Michigan Railway Company these lands. March 3,
1879, congress released to the state of Michigan the reversionary in-
terest of the United States, which might exist by reason of the non-
construction of the railroad within the time limited. Bowes had in
the meantime sold a large part of the lands, and was succeeded in his
trust by Augustus D. Griswold, who also sold a portion. Finally, in
order to clear up the title to these railroad lands, the legislature, by
act approved June 9, 1883, made provision for the giving of patents to
such lands as had been purchased in good faith from "W. R. Bowes Or
HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY 83
Augustus D. Griswold, or from Amos Gould. The lauds in St. Clair
county, aggregating 3,568 acres, had been bought by one purchaser from
Bowes, and the same purchaser also obtained a deed from Gould, so that
the way was at last made clear for the obtaining of a good title to
these lands.
Indian Reservation Lands
By the treaty made with the Black river and Swan Creek bands
of Chippewas in 1836 they ceded to the United States their reservations
in this county. This land was to be sold and the proceeds distributed
in annuities and a part retained by the United States and the interest
divided. The two reservations were surveyed and subdivided in 1837
and the land was sold at public auction in 1839. The Black river res-
ervation included parts of sections 3, 4, 9, 10, 15, 16 in the township of
Port Huron, in all 1,287 acres, and the Swan Creek reservation con-
tained all or part of eighteen sections in Ira and Casco townships, in
all 6,135 acres.
Swamp Lands
The public domain of the Mississippi valley and the Lake States
contained a large amount of swamp and overflowed land and Michigan
ranked fourth in the amount of such land within its borders. The
surveyor-general of the United States reported in 1815 that a large part
of the southeastern portion of the territory of Michigan was swamp and
practically worthless.
As early as 1826 attempts were made in congress to have land of
this character granted to the states, but it was not until the act of
September 28, 1850, that a general swamp land law was enacted. By
that act all "swamp and overflowed lands made unflt thereby for cul-
tivation," were granted to the state, and it was further provided that
all legal subdivisions, the greater part of which was w^et and unfit for
cultivation, should be included in the lands to be granted, and that
the proceeds of all such lands, whether by sale or by appropriation in
kind, should be applied exclusively, as far as necessary, to the pur-
pose of reclaiming such lands.
The reasons actuating congress in making this donation were:
1st. The alleged worthless character of the lands in their natural
condition, and the inexpediency of attempting to reclaim them by
national effort.
2nd. The sanitary improvement from the reclamation of marshy
districts.
3rd. The readier sale and increased value of the adjoining govern-
ment land.
The state, in accepting this gift from the nation did not feel itself
bound to strictly follow the terms of the donation as to the purposes
for which the land or its proceeds should be used. While large amounts
were used for the construction of drains and roads, a considerable
amount was diverted to other purposes.
84 HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COl'NTY
Both the nation and the state Avere in the carryino: out of this piece
of legislation, inexcusably careless. Nearly six million acres of so-
called swamp land Avas patented to the state. As a matter of fact,
much of this land was not swamp or overflowed, but liigh. and even
well timbered with pine and other valual)le woods.
The state made no examination whatever of this immensely valuable
donation : it assumed from the outset that it Avas all equally valuable.
or AA'orthless. In the making of contracts for roads or drains to be paid
for in state SAvamp land, it Avas customary for the state to issue scrip,
Avith Avhich sAvamp land in any part of the state could be taken up.
This scrip Avas generally on the market at a considerable discount.
Many fortunes AA-ere made by buying this scrip, and locating timl)er
land Avorth from ten to thirty dollars per acre, at a cost of not over a
dollar per acre in cash.
In a case coming before the supreme court of ^Michigan relating to
swamp hind scrip. Judge Morse took occasion to say (89 ]\Iich. Rej)..
page 274) : '"The magnificent dowry of many thousand acres of A-al-
ua])le lands under the grant of sAvamp lands by the general gOA'^ern-
ment to this state has been frittered aAvay by the inattention and neg-
lect of state officers, and the reckless donations of the legislature, until
nothing of any value is now left to the people. A fcAV speculators in
every county of the state have been enriched, Avith no corresponding
benefit to the great mass of our citizens. It is shown that for all these
years since 1850 there has l)een no examination or classification of these
SAvamp lands as to their A'alue. A tract of Avorthless bog has been held
at the same price as a tract of most valuable pine lands: and contrac-
tors under the various jobs, inspired in most instances by the speculators
who subsequently acquired the lands, lun-e l)een free to make theii" oAvn
lists and selections of lands donated, limited only by locality."
While undoubtedly much good Avas done with the swamp land, yet
it cannot be denied that the state Avasted a large part of its heritage
to the lasting injury of its sons and daughters.
Largely OAving to the fact that so much of the land of the county
AA^as taken up during the speculatiA'e period, culminating in 1836, there
AA-as not so much land left upon AA-hich the swamp land act could take
eflfect, and there Avas conveyed to the state as swamp land within the
county of St. Clair, only 29.552 acres.
St. Clair Flats
The title to the land included Avithin the district long knoAvn as the
St. Clair Flats, has been for many years a matter of judicial dis-
pute, and is not yet settled beyond doubt. With the exception of a part
of the islands AA-hich is high and originally coA^ered by timber and sub-
ject to cultivation, the largest part of the so-called flats consists of sub-
merged land coming in many places close to the surface of the AA-ater,
and at times exposed by Ioav Avater, but for the most part covered Avith
rushes in the summer time. These flats for many years AA^ere the para-
dise of hunters and fishers.
This desirable quality led to the erection of buildings upon all of
HISTOKV OF ST. CLAIR COLXTV 85
the channels, eitln'i' u\h)u jnles or npon laud whirh luul been created
by dredging, and allliougli it was known to be No ]\Ian's Laud, where
title could not be obtained, buildings, in many cases large and ex-
pensive, were erected, the J^ake St. Clair Fishing and Shooting Club
having expended upwards of $80,000 in iuiprovements upon the prop-
erty occupied by it. The United States itself made no claim to the
territory, but in 1886 the state land connnissionci- caused a survey of
the entire locality to be made by one Barlholuiiiew. and endeavored to
have the commissioner of the land department at AVashington adopt
this survey and convey the territory to the state of ^Michigan as swamp
land, but this was refused.
If it were strictly swamp land and the title had been originally in
the general government, it would have passed to the state b}' the
Swamp Land Act of 1850. If. however, it was- submerged land, that
is. covered at all times by water, it belonged to the state as trust land
which could not be conveyed under ordinary' circumstances to private
owners. After the survey had been made in 1887 the legislature in
1895 passed a resolution authorizing the beginning of legal proceed-
ings to determine the title, and in pursuance of that act, a suit was
brought by the state against the St. Clair Fishing and Shooting Club.
Under the testimony produced before the circuit judge, he held that
the property occupied b}" the club was in fact swamp land, and upon
the case being removed to the supreme court it was held by a majority
of that court that there Avas some evidence to justify the finding of
the circuit judge, and if it w^as swamp land it came under the Swamp
Land Act and the state was entitled to recover possession.
After this case was decided, Schuyler S. Olds, as the owner of
swamp land scrip entitling him to locate swamp lands belonging to
the state, applied to the state land office to permit him to locate with
that scrip lands on the St. Clair flats, to the amount of 757 acres.
A part of the land involved was the land occupied by the St. Clair
Shooting & Fishing Club. The commissioner refused to permit the
location, and the supreme court was asked to compel permission, and
it granted an order to that effect on July 10, 1901. The matter being
of so nnich importance, an application for rehearing was granted, and
another opinion was filed in September, 1903. and the supreme court
decided that so far as related to the land occupied by the club was
concerned, it having been previously determined as a fact to be swamp
land, that Olds was entitled to a patent, but left the questions relating
to the remaining land undetermined.
Mr. Olds then attempted to obtain a patent of the land not occupied
by the club, and evidence Avas taken and submitted to the court, Avhich
decided that the rest of the territory involved was submerged lake
bottom, and not swamp or overflowed land, and therefore was not sub-
ject to location by swamp land scrip. This decision was made in July,
1907.
Another phase of the same question came before the supreme court
in a suit brought by the state against the Venice of America Land
Company, which claimed all of the lower part of Harsen's Island, not
included Avithin the limits of grants made by the United States to the
86 HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY
Harsens. The state claimed title to the land; first, by the so-called
Swamp Land Act; and second, because the premises were submerged
land at the time Michigan became a state, and that b}' the act admitting
the state, it acquired title as trustee for the people of the state. A large
amount of testimony was taken and the supreme court decided that the
premises were a part of the bed of Lake St. Clair at the time Michigan
became a state, and that the title therefore passed to the state, which
held the lands in trust for the use and benefit of the people for naviga-
tion, fishing, etc. The legislature of the state has since passed an act
authorizing the sale of the Flats in parcels upon certain conditions, but
its action in that direction has been enjoined upon the theory that the
state has no power to sell and permanently pass title to that portion of
such property, which it holds in trust for the benefit of the entire people
of the state and this suit is at present undecided.
CHAPTER VIII
ST. CLAIR COUNTY UNDER THREE FLAGS
French Fortified Post Under Duluth — Fort St. Joseph — Fort
Abandoned by Lahontan — Sketch of Duluth — The English
Fort Sinclair — Patrick Sinclair — The American Fort Gratiot
— Charles Gratiot — Temporarily Abandoned — Successive Com-
mandants — Cholera at the Fort — Finally Abandoned (1879).
This county is one of very few counties in the state within whose
horders has floated the flag of more than one nation over a fortified
place. Fort St. Joseph established by the French, Fort Sinclair by the
British, and Fort Gratiot by the Americans, all bear evidence of the
great changes, political and social, through which this region has passed
in a little more than two centuries.
In the latter part of the seventeenth century the French had estab-
lishments at the Sault, Mackinac, Green Bay, and controlled the fur
trade of the Great Lakes and regions farther west. The Iroquois,
however, occupied a very advantageous position south of Lake Ontario,
and near the English, and wanted to act as middlemen in the exchange
of peltries from the west, for the cloths and guns and other manufac-
tured articles of the English. The English themselves were anxious
to get in closer touch with the western fur trade, and for that purpose
only freedom and access to the great lakes was needed.
French Fortified Post Under Duluth
The French had much more minute knowledge, through maps and
reports, of the water communications, than did the English, and they
knew that a fortified place well located anywhere upon the Detroit, as
they called the entire straits from Lake Erie to Lake Huron, would be
a great protection to the Indians friendly to them, from the Iroquois,
and would be also a barrier to English trade and exploration. The
beaver trade alone was in itself very profitable, and if it could be con-
trolled and the English excluded from it, the business would rival in
wealth-producing power the silver mines of Mexico and Peru. To do
this, however, there was needed an intelligent monopoly, one which
would prevent destruction of the source of supply, but would encourage
proper exploitation.
The French government had very positive ideas about the necessity
87
88 HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY
of monopoly, but unfortunately could not or did not accompany them
with any sufficient knowledge of conditions, or intelligent methods of
operating. Its method of controlling the business was to bring it all
to Montreal, and it was practically forbidden to trade with the Indians
elsewhere. Finding this impracticable, they tried to control it by a
system of licenses limited in number, and with restrictions as to num-
ber of canoes, amount of goods carried, and other particulars. One
result of these restrictions was that many of the most vigorous, hardy
and enterprising of the young Frenchmen avoided them by going into
the woods on their own account, owning no allegiance to the French
king or his government, and became that class most obnoxious to the
king's representative at ^Montreal, but which carried the name and
fame of the French far into the interior of this continent — the coureurs
de hois. If their hardihood, bravery, and facility in managing the In-
dians had been properly recognized and supported, the results to France
might have been vastly different.
Denonville, the governor of New France from 1685 to 1689, was
an intelligent man and a good soldier. Imt weak and greatly subservient
to the priests.
In 1686 De la Durantaye was commanding the j^ost of Michili-
mackinac, and to him, in June, the governor wrote to fortify the port-
age of Toronto, which, as he explains in a letter to ^l. de Seignelay,
the French minister for the colonies, with the post to be established by
M. du Lhu, will block the passage against the English should they at-
tempt to go again to Michilimaquina, and serve as retreats to their In-
dian allies either while hunting or while marching against the Iroquois.
The governor also wi'ote June 6, 1686, to Du Luth, the most famous
and most capable of the adventurous young Frenchmen then in the
west, to choose a post at the strait (detroit) of Lake Erie, in an ad-
vantageous spot so as to secure this passage, protect the savages Avho
go hunting there, and serve them as a refuge against the designs of
their enemies and ours, to do nothing and say nothing to the Iroquois
unless they venture an attempt. He gives the further instruction that
Duluth should go to this post as soon as ever he could, with about
twenty men, only, and station them there under the command of which-
ever lieutenant he might choose. He should then repair to Michili-
mackinac and wait for the Rev. Father Angelran who would bring him
full information and instructions. After receiving these he should re-
turn with thirty more men received from De la Durantaye to the post.
He continues. "The post to which I am sending you is of all the more
importance as I expect it will put us in connection with the Illinois, to
whom you will make known the matters of which the Rev. Father will
inform you." He cautions him, however, "I beg you to say nothing
about our plans which you may catch a glimpse of. ' ' The Illinois were
hostile to the Iroquois, and the plans may have had something to do
with encouraging their hostility.
Denonville writes the same fall in November to M. Seignelay that
he has word of Duluth arriving at his post with fifty men.
HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY 89
Fort St. Joseph
The fortified post thus established by Duluth was undoubtedly at
about the place where Fort Gratiot was placed 128 years afterward.
Baron Lahontan, who as a French officer was himself in command of
the fort in 1688, published in 1703, in English, his "New Voyages to
North America,'' which contained a map of New France. This map
shows the fort under the name Fort St. Joseph, just below the entrance
of St. Clair river upon the American side. This would seem conclu-
sive proof of its location, but other and later maps indicate a fort, some-
times called Fort Detroit, or Fort Duluth, upon the eastern side of St.
Clair river. This location elsewhere is probably due to ignorance of
Lahontan 's map, and to the fact that the word "detroit" was used by
the French to designate both St. Clair and Detroit rivers, and it is
called indifferently, the "detroit" or strait of Lake Huron, or the "de-
troit" of Lake Erie. This fort was probably a stockaded structure and
similar in size and form to the one constructed by Cadillac in 1701 at
the place where the city of Detroit is now located.
Duluth — whose name is spelled by the French writers of the time,
de Lude, du Lhut, Dulhut — remained in command of the fort until the
following year. It had not been built any too soon. In the previous
fall a party of thirty Englishmen in search of trade had penetrated as
far as Mackinac, where they were captured and their goods confis-
cated. In the following spring, Denonville, the French governor, de-
termined to proceed against the Iroquois and compel them to cease at-
tacking their Indian allies, and for this purpose sent orders to ]\Iackinac
and other posts to collect all the French and Indians possible and
meet him at the place of the Senecas. Nicholas Perrot, a Frenchman,
well known to all the Indian tribes around the Great Lakes, and very
influential with them, had spent the winter in collecting the Indians,
especially the Ottawas and Ilurons, for this purpose. He says, in his
''Memoire, " that he joined M. de la Durantaye, who had met Tonty
at the fort of M. de Lude, situate at "the Detroit," and the}' had just
stopped another party of thirty English.
At the end of this expedition against the Iroquois, which was mod-
erately successful, Denonville ordered Baron Lahontan to return with
Duluth and take charge of this fort. In his book Lahontan says, ' ' This
fort, which was built by JNI. Dulhut, was garrisoned upon his own
charges by the coureurs des hois, who had taken care to sow in it some
bushels of Turkey wheat, which afforded a plentiful crop that proved
of great use to me." Lahontan sent some of his soldiers to jMackinac
to trade with the Indians there, and obtain more wheat for his win-
ter's needs. In spite of this addition to their supplies, they would
have suffered during the wdnter if four young Canadians, good hunters,
had not stayed with him all winter.
Fort Abandoned by Lahontan
In the spring of 1688, a party of Hurons from ]\Iackinac, having
made their headquarters at the post, on a war expedition against the
90 HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY
Iroquois, returned with the news that the Iroquois intended to attack
the post. Lahontan, finding his provisions nearly gone, and not daring
to do much hunting, through fear of the Iroquois, went to ]\Iackinac
in April to obtain more corn. He did not return till July 1, and upon
July 3, left again for another attack upon the Iroquois. Returning
from that in August, he found a party of eighty-one Miamis at the
fort, who had come from Niagara, and informed him that Denonville
was negotiating a peace with the Iroquois. After considering the situa-
tion, that a peace would probably be made, that Fort Niagara had been
abandoned, and without its support Fort St. Joseph would be of no
use, that he had provisions and ammunition for only two months, he
resolved to abandon the position, and on August 27 he set fire to the
fort and embarked for Mackinac. It is generally assumed that this
ended the French occupation at this point, but there is some doubt
about it. The English, of course, knew of this fort, and in February,
1688, Thomas Dongan, governor of New York, wrote to the French
agents in behalf of the Five Nations, demanding "that the forts at
"cadaracciui (Kingston) and Tircksarondia (St. Joseph) may be de-
molished," and in the same month these Indians again take the mat-
ter up with Dongan and say, ' ' Let the governor go forward and remove
the French from Onyagra (Niagara), Cataracque and Tj^scharondia,
which is the place where we go a beaver hunting, for if those forts
continue in the French hands, we are always besieged."
In a French memoir, prepared about 1689, it is said, "If the Iro-
quois be in the English interest, it will be almost impossible to main-
tain the establishment at the Detroit without very considerable ex-
pense, to garrison it two or three hundred picked men at least, would
have to be sent thither."
In 1691 in a French document recommending measures for the bet-
ter defense of Canada, it is said: "It is well to preserve the posts
we occupy in their country, namely. Fort St. Louis of Louisiana, De-
troit, and Michilimaquina. These can be kept up at a very trifling
expense, which will not be of less utility to us than if it were more
considerable."
In 1694 at a conference or council between the French and Indians,
the Detroit is spoken of as a fine rendezvous and in 1700 a council is
held by JM. de Longeuil, commanding for the French king at Detroit
with the four nations belonging to his post, these four nations being the
Ottawas, Hurons, Potawatomies and JNIississauges. It must be remem-
bered that the word Detroit at that time had no reference whatever to
the locality of the present city of that name, but covered the whole
waterway from Lake Erie to Lake Huron, and these references make it
probable that there w^as a continuance until 1700 of the post erected by
Duluth.
Sketch of Duluth
Daniel de Gresollon (or Greysolon), Sieur du L'hut, one of the
8.blest of the French leaders in America, and one whose name should
have been retained for the river running through the city of Port
HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY 91
Huron, was born about 1650, near Paris. Having noble blood, he was
as a youth, enrolled as a member of the Royal Guard. Finding ad-
vancement slow, he applied for and obtained a captain's commission in
the troops of the marine and came to Canada in 1674; when he was
little more than twenty. The next year he returned to France in time
to serve with his former comrades in hard fought battles in the Nether-
lands. The second year following finds him again in Montreal, retired
from his company on half pay, and engaged in the fur trade. In 1678,
fired perhaps by love of wandering or desire to explore new lands, or
by adventure, he left ^Montreal destined to spend the greater part of his
remaining life in lighting, trading and exploring. The following sum-
mer he had reached the country of the Sioux, the first white man to ex-
plore that territory. In 1680 he rescued from the Sioux the friar, Hen-
nepin, who later returned to France and wrote a book about his travels.
For four years he was constantly on the move, extending the influence
of the French among the western Indians, risking life and property
and apparently with little gain. By his boldness and persistency he
had aroused some official opposition, and had been placed by the in-
tendant among the coureurs de bois. To the official mind nothing
could be worse than this. A free, unlicensed, unrestricted trader and
wanderer, he interfered with the government monopoly, often upset the
official plans, but in spite of all it was to his control and authority over
the Indians that much of the extension of the French flag was due.
The official clamor against Duluth became at length so strong that
in 1682 he felt compelled to go to France, where he was entirely suc-
cessful with the authorities, and returned the same year, and was called
in council by the new governor. La Barre. The next year, under the
orders of the French government, he put the post of Michilimackinac
in thorough repair and also built a fort on the north shore of Lake
Superior, a short distance up the Kaministiquia river. AVhile in charge
at Michilimackinac he performed an act so indicative of his boldness,
activity and good judgment, that it is worth recording.
The Chippewas near the Sault had killed two Frenchmen; realizing
that the power of the French over the Indians depended on their com-
manding respect, he set out at once with six men and a Jesuit priest
and arriving there, at once arrested one of the murderers, a man of
importance among the tribes. He was then in a most delicate position,
he must persuade the Indians that there was no course open except
that the murderers should be punished with death. The French in the
country were so few that if the Indians became antagonistic, they could
not hope to escape, and yet their future safety and success depended on
his ability to convince the Indians that a Frenchman could not be
killed or injured with impunity. After anxious days of councils, where
firmness, tact, and knowledge of Indian character were finally success-
ful, the culprits were put to death, and French authority was trium-
phant. "When Denonville became governor in 1685 he recognized Du-
luth 's knowledge of Indian matters by asking him to come down to
Quebec for a conference, but later sent the order to build the fort at
the Detroit, which was obeyed by the building of Fort St. Joseph. He
remained in charge at this post until replaced by Lahontan; in 1690
92 HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY
he went to Alontreal, where he remained until 1695. when he took com-
mand of Fort Frontenae, and two years later became captain of a
regiment. During the later years of his life he suffered greatly from
the gout, which must have been doubly painful to a man of his active
habits. He died in February", 1710, at Montreal.
The Exglish Fort Sinclair
The second flag to wave over the soil of this county was that of
England, raised over Fort Sinclair, located just south of the mouth
of Pine river. This fort was built about 1765 by Lieutenant Patrick
Sinclair of the British army, and existed for twenty years, when it
gradually fell into decay. Nothing is known of its form or size, but it
contained at 'least one brick building, as some portions of it were still
standing in 1830. One purpose of its erection was as a trading post
with the Indians, and it was used for that purpose until about the time
the Americans obtained possession of this section. The situation of
this fort, and its name, so nearly resembling the name of the lake below,
and also the name of the first governor of the Northwest territory, have
caused so much confusion over the name of St. Clair river, and lake,
that it seems worth while to inquire into the career of the man respon-
sible for it.
Patrick Sinclair
Patrick Sinclair was born at Lybster. a small village in the county
of Caithness in the extreme northeast part of Scotland, in 1736; while
his given name seems Irish to the modern, it is in fact old Scotch as
well. He entered the British army in 1758 as ensign in the second
batallion of the Forty-second Highlanders, and the following year
served in the West Indies. In 1760 he was in America, becoming a
lieutenant that year, and when in 1761 his regiment was ordered again
to the West Indies, he decided to remain here, and exchanged into the
Fifteenth regiment. In 1763 lie came to Detroit, and was placed in com-
mand of transporting the supplies between Detroit and ^Michilimack-
inae. AVhile acting in this capacity, he obtained a deed from the In-
dians of a large tract of land at Pine river, and erected Fort Sinclair
as a post or depot, between the two terminals. This act he later in-
sisted Avas approved by General Gage, then commander-in-chief of the
British forces in America, and was impliedly assented to by the English
government. The deed was executed in the presence of the officer
commanding in Detroit and of the Indian agent at that point.
Sinclair is said to have erected a mill upon this tract, and he cleared
land, built houses and barns, set out orchards and evidently set about
creating for himself a manor in size befitting a duke of England. It
appears from a subsecpient conveyance and survey, that the tract deeded
to him contained over 2-1,000 acres. In his correspondence a few
years later, when he was established at ^Mackinac, he refers to the
property as the pinery, and his mill was probably built about four
miles above the mouth of Pine river, at a point where remains of an
HISTORY OF ST. CLAIK COUNTY 93
old dam -were still in existence a few years ago. This mill w.-is the
only source of supply of pine lumlier to Detroit. Tn his transfer to
the Naval departnunit lie evidently was made a captain, and must have
commended himseli' strongly to the people of Detroit, as in Septeiuhcr.
1767, they presented him with a silver goblet upon which was in-
scribed: "'In remembrance of the encouragement experienced upon all
occasions by the merchants and traders in the Indian countries from
Captain Patrick Sinclaii- of the Naval DepartnuMit, not as a i-eward for
his services, but a public testimony of their gratitude, this is presented
instead of a more adequate acknowledgment which his disinterested
disposition renders impracticalde. "
The following year Captain Sinclair returned to England and in
1772 was appointed captain in his regiment, and applied for return to
America, and after some delay, was, in 1775, appointed lieutenant-
governor of INIackinac. This position gave him no military authority',
but gave him general control in civil affairs. Sinclair set out for his
post and landed in JMaryland, and not believing that the Americans
were really in earnest in their opposition to England, went to New
York City on his way west. To his surprise, he was arrested and sent
to Long Island as a prisoner. He was soon paroled, however, remaining
as a prisoner on parole until released by resolution of the Continental
Congress March 11, 1776. He made another attempt to reach his post
in 1778 and this time succeeded, going first to Halifax and arriving in
Quebec iu June, 1779. He at once set about the fixing of his command
so that he should have the military, as well as civil control, ])ut did not
succeed until the following year when he purchased the commission of
Captain George .McDougall of the Eighty-fourth regiment. In the mean-
time he had gone to Fort ^lackinac, which Avas at that time on the
mainland of the Lower Peninsula of Michigan, arriving there October
4, 1789. He immediately began to urge the removal of the fort to the
island, which was accomplished under his superintendence, but at enor-
mous cost. Having incurred expense contrary to the orders or General
Haldimand, the British officer in general command, his drafts were
protested and he was recalled to Quebec in the fall of 1782, to explain
his accounts. During 1783 and most of 1781 he was at the Isle of
Orleans near Quebec, and in the winter of the latter year sailed for
England. Upon his arrival there he was arrested and thrown into
Newgate, the debtors' prison, on account of his protested drafts, but
remained there only a short time. His troubles in Canada do not seem
to have interfered with his advancement in the army, as he became in
turn major, lieutenant-colonel, colonel and major-general, which rank
he held at the time of his death, January 31, 1820.
While General Sinclair was at ]\Iackinac he kept in touch with his
property at his old post on St. Clair river. In May, 1780, A. S. De
Peyster, the commanding officer at Detroit, writes him that his man is
at the pinery, and Avill remain there till a vessel from INIackinac comes.
During this time Alexander Harrow, who later became a resident of
this county, taking possession of a large tract above Algonac, a part of
which his descendants still occupy, was the commander of the sloop
'' Wellcome," which was used in transporting supplies between Detroit
94 HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY
and Mackinac. In June, 1780, De Pej^ster writes that the ''Wellcome"
had been assisting the "Yandot," another boat in the same service,
and that he heard "they are much difficulted to get her (the 'Yan-
•dot') off and that the 'Wellcome' has not got further on her way
than the Pinery."
It appears that at this time Francis Belcour, the British agent at
Detroit, had been in charge of the post at Fort Sinclair, and for some
reason he was not acceptable to the Indians along the river, as in July,
1780, Maskeash, one of the Chippewa chiefs on St. Clair river, came to
Mackinac on board the "Wellcome" to ask him to send them in place
of Mr. Belcour, Baptiste Point de Sable, a free negro, who had been a
trader with the Miamis until arrested the j'ear before and taken to
Mackinac. This request was granted and Sinclair returns the Indians
with directions to land them wherever they wish in the river, and to
land Point de Sable at the Pine river.
In a letter to De Peyster, he justifies this change of agents, basing
his rights to do so upon the commander-in-chief's (Gage's) letter, In-
dian deed, tacit consent of government waiting the decision of the king
in council, possession and property.
Two incidents occurring at this time throw much light on Sinclair's
disposition, his touchiness, and insistence upon proper respect shown
to his rank. The soldiers of two companies stationed at ]\Iackinac had
not received their pay, and complained to De Peyster, and say that they
have been with complaints to the lieutenant-governor, "but his answer
always is, 'Damn you for a pack of villains and scoundrels.' "
Commander Harrow, who was lieutenant and commanded a
ship in the naval armament on the Great Lakes in Canada, arrived at
Mackinac with the "Wellcome" July 29. 1780. and was at once arrested
by order of the governor, and detained for some time, without any appar-
ent ground for action. Harrow must have been soon released, as the
follo^^'ing spring he is again in charge of the "AVellcome, " and in 1783
he is designated as commodore.
While Sinclair was at the Isle of Orleans awaiting the adjusting of
his accounts, a young man from there, by the name of Nicholas Boul-
vin, or Boilvin, was just setting out for the west to grow up with the
country and to him Sinclair gave a power of attorney to take charge
on the first of May, 1783, of his farm at Pine river, his "stock houses,
barns, orchards, gardens, timber and every other article thereto apper-
taining." He also recommends Boulvin to the protection of the officers
at Detroit that any other person may be prevented from cutting timber,
or from trading near the post to the detriment of Boulvin.
When Boulvin arrived at Detroit he did not make a long stay, but
decided to go on to St. Louis where he was soon after appointed Indian
agent for the United States, and after some years removed to Prairie
du Chien, where he acted in the same capacity, and while living there
he was appointed, in 1818, justice of the peace, by Governor Cass.
AA^ien Boulvin determined to leave Detroit he turned over his power
of attorney to David Ross, September 20. 1783. and on ^lay 19, 1788,
the property was sold at public auction to Meldrum and Park, mer-
chants of Detroit, who in 1795 obtained a deed from twenty-six of the
HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY 95
Chippewa chiefs and tribesmen, which refers to the deed ])reviously
given to Sinclair by their ancestors, late chiefs of the Chippewa nation,
and confirms and approves the ^raiit. and the transfer to Meldrnm and
Park. The land is described in this deed as a tract on the west side
of the river. "The north boundary whereof commences at a small
creek or river known by the name of River Isecorse, adjoining the lands
of the late Duperon Baby, Esq., thence running down the bank of the
said River Sinclair to a blazed white oak tree about two miles above
the entrance of the Belle river, marked with the initials MPK, and ex-
tending back" four miles in depth. The River Isecorse, referred to,
Is probably the small creek emptying into St. Clair river at the village
of Marysville, as in 1817 Preston, the U. S. surveyor of the public lands,
in meandering section 32, town 6 north, range 17 east, refers to this
stream as River Ecorse, and this creek is in the north line of private claim
255, granted to ]\Ieldrum and Park, which was the northernmost of their
claims.
The location of Fort Sinclair is shown upon most of the important
maps made of this locality after its erection, but not always correctly.
It occasionally appears aliout where Fort Gratiot subsequently stood,
and the name is as frequently St. Clair as it is Sinclair. In the plat
made by Aaron Greeley, surveyor of private claims, made in 1810.
"Fort St. Clair" is indicated just south of Pine river. In the map
made in 1820 by the commissioners to locate the international boundary
line, there is noted just below the mouth of Pine river "old Fort St.
Claire." For nearly fifty years the name Sinclair was quite generally
given to the river, and often to the lake, but after the Americans ob-
tained undisputed possession of the west bank of river and lake, the
name of both gradually settled into their present form.
The American Fort Gratiot
The third and last tlag to float over a fortified place in this county
was the American flag, raised over Fort Gratiot, built in 1814. In the
War of 1812, after the experiences of the United States with the British
and the Indians near Detroit, additional protection for this part of the
country, especially against the Indians, seemed necessary to the authori-
ties, and in 1814 General Harrison directed Major Thomas Forsyth,
with Captain Cobb, and a detachment of forty men, with Captain
Charles Gratiot as engineer, to locate a post and erect defenses near
the entrance of St. Clair river. The force arrived on the site of the
fort ]\Iay 14, 1814, and in the following month another detachment,
mainly of militia arrived, and during the summer the fort was con-
structed, with embankment of earth on the north, south and west sides,
and with stronger fortifications on the east or river front, large logs
entering into the construction. "When completed it was called from
the engineer in charge of its construction, Fort Gratiot.
96 HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY
Charles Gratiot
Charles Gratiot was born in that part of Louisiana which subse-
quently became Missouri in 1788 and after going to West Point was ap-
pointed second lieutenant of engineers in 1806, and captain in 1808.
His rise in the army was rapid, undoubtedly due to his ability and in the
War of 1812 he Avas the chief engineer of Harrison's army, and breveted
colonel. In 1815 he was appointed major of engineers, and in 1828 he
became colonel, and principal engineer in charge of the engineer bureau,
and the same year Avas breveted brigadier-general for meritorious serv-
ices and general good conduct, and appointed inspector at West Point.
In this position he remained for ten years, until 1838, when he was
dismissed by the President for claimed irregularities in his financial
relations with the government. From 1840 to 1855 he was a clerk in the
Land Office at Washington, and the latter year went to St. Louis, Avhere
he died. Few officers of the army have displayed greater ability or risen
more rapidly, until he met with disaster. It should be added, hoAvever,
that upon the petition of General Gratiot for an investigation of his con-
duct the judiciary committee of tlie L'. S. Senate reported in high terms
upon his character and al)ility. and that no authority existed in congress
to undo the action.
At the time Fort Gratiot was located in 1814, it Avas assumed that no
private rights existed to interfere Avith the government, but the fact
AA'as that in 1808 Pierre Bonhomme had presented to the land board
in Detroit his claim for 240 arpents, six arpents in front on St. Clair
riA'Cr, by forty deep, Avhich included the land ujion Avhich the fort Avas
erected, but so far as appears from tiie records wliich have been preserved,
no testimony Avas produced, and certainly no patent Avas issued by the goA^-
ernment. It appears. hoAvever, from the testimony Avhich Avas taken in
1821. Avhen the land board AA-as reA'ived and the Bonhomme claim rencAA'ed,
that as early as 1803 there Avas a house, stable and blacksmith shop, and
improvements upon Avhich crops had been raised.
By 1818 the idea had crept into the official mind that it might be
desirable to have the title to the fort put in proper shape, and on July
18th of that year General ^Macomb, then at Detroit, Avrote to the secre-
tary of Avar that on examining the surA^eys of the lands Avhich Avere to
be sold in the Territory of Michigan, he found that no reservation had
been made of the site upon Avhich Fort Gratiot Avas built, and suggested
immediate action to reserve the section on Avhich the fort stood.
August 20, 1818, J. C. Calhoun, the secretary of Avar, Avrote to the
commissioner of the general land office requesting him to instruct the
proper officer to make a reserA'ation in accordance Avith a sketch Avhich
he enclosed. At that time the system of public surA'eys had been ex-
tended over this area, and the fort lay near the north line of section 3,
toAA-n 6, north range 17 east.
August 21. 1818, the commissioner Avrote the superintendent of land
sales at Detroit to reserve for military purposes the five fractions of
sections lying between St. Clair river and River de Lude. By this he un-
doubtedly meant the parts of fractional sections 2, 3, 4, 10 and 11, lying
north and east of Black river, but before that order reached Detroit,
HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY 97
owing to the slowness of mail connections, all public lands wdthin the
Indian treaty line of 1807, which had been surveyed, were placed on
sale, and on September 19, 1818, Solomon Sibley of Detroit, purchased
fractional section 2, and that part of fractional section 10 lying north of
Black river. Matters remained in this shape then for ten years longer.
In the meantime the land board in 1821 had acted upon the Bonhomme
claims, which included the fort itself, and an additional claim lying
north of this one, and adjacent to it, and observing that Fort Gratiot
stood upon the lands, confirmed the claims, as they had been preferred
in 1808, prior to the location of the military site, and prior to any res-
ervation by the government.
In November, 1828, General Macomb, then major-general and gen-
eral-in-chief of the army, some months after congress had passed an
act confirming the action of the land board, wrote to the secretary of
war recommending that all the land lying north and east of Black
river and south of private claim 244, and also the east fifty acres of
that claim, be reserved for military purposes. He probably included
the latter parcel because the government had in 1825 erected upon it
a lighthouse, without troubling itself to secure any conveyance from
Francois Bonhomme, to whom it had been patented in 1881.
The following day, November 11th, the secretary of war, P. B. Por-
ter, concurred in the recommendation and the President, J. Q. Adams,
ordered the reservation to be made. But even the government could
not "reserve" what it had already granted, and as by this time all of
the tract indicated by the President, except that part of section 3 not
included in the Bonhomme claims, and the small parts of fractional
sections 34 and 35 in town 7 north range 17 east, had been sold, the
reservation actually made could only apply to the unsold part, and the
government was forced to purchase, in 1833, from Andrew Westbrook,
and P. J. Desnoyers, the owners of the Bonhomme claims, their rights
and to surrender any claim to sections 2 and 11, which are now included
in the Thorn plat, and to section 10, which is included in the Butler plat.
This, however, left a reservation of 614 acres, which was sufficient for
all needs.
It was during the year of the fort's construction that AVilliam
Brown, one of the enterprising and capable pioneers of the county, per-
formed an act of greatest importance to the garrison. The supplies
had fallen very short, starvation, or at least, short rations, was im-
minent; although Detroit was only sixty miles away, the intervening
country had many Indians, mostly hostile, and the taking of supplies
was not only difficult, but extremely dangerous. Colonel Butler, in
charge of the American forces at Detroit, looking for a capable man
who Imew the country to convoy a train to Fort Gratiot, selected Brown,
who at the time was living in Detroit. He was born in Detroit in 1784,
and when twenty-two years old married IMartha Thorn — a sister of
John Thorn — and moved to Canada, upon what was known as the
Sutherland place, opposite the upper end of St. Clair city. In 1814
he was confronted by the British authorities with the order either to
take the oath of allegiance or leave the country, and promptly left for
Detroit. He conducted a troop of forty men with sixty head of fat
Vol. 1—7
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HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY 99
cattle, to Fort Gratiot in safety, delivering them the second night after
the start from Detroit.
Temporarily Abandoned
The earliest return on file in the War department relating to the
fort is for August, 1815, and is signed by Captain "William Whistler,
Third Regiment U. S. Infantry, with First Lieutenant John Butler
(discharged June 15, 1815), Twenty-fourth Regular U. S. Infantry,
temporarily serving.
In October of the same year Brevet-Major Sullivan Burbank came
and assumed command, and there were two companies present and a
detachment of artillery. Between that time and the abandonment of
the fort for a time in 1821, it was under the charge of Brevet-Colonel
John McNeil, Major Peter Muhlenberg, Brevet-Major John T. Chunn,
Major Alex Cummings, and the following captains: Peter Pelham,
David Perry, John Fowle, Jr., Brevet-Captain Joseph Gleason, George
H. Grosvenor, C. L. Caps, John Farley ; First Lieutenants Joseph
Plympton, Collin McLeod, Robert A. McCabe, Otis Fisher, Charles Mel-
lon ; Second Lieutenants William Downey, Samuel S. Stacey, Ephraim
K. Barnum, Peter T. January, Samuel W. Hunt, John Peacock, Peter
W. Grayson, James Watson Webb, John M. Tufts, Robert Wright. The
earlier part of the time the fort was garrisoned by a company or com-
panies from the Fifth Regiment U. S. Infantry, and during the latter
part by a company from the Third Regiment U. S. Infantry.
In the spring of 1820 when Governor Cass and his party passed
up St. Clair river on their way to the Indians at the headwaters of
the Mississippi, they found Major Alexander Cummings in command
at Fort Gratiot. Upon the return of the party in September, H. R.
Schoolcraft, the historian of the trip, says, they stopped at the fort,
but finding none of the commanding officers present, continued their
journey toward Detroit and when they came to the mouth of Black
river, they met a boat with a few soldiers under command of Lieu-
tenant Webb returning with a load of watermelons obtained up Black
river. This Lieutenant Webb was James Watson Webb, who entered
the army in 1819 as second lieutenant, becoming first lieutenant in
1823, resigning in 1827, to become the editor of the New York Courier,
and later of the Courier and Enquirer. This very influential news-
paper he owned and edited until 1861 when it was merged with the
World, and the same year he became minister to Brazil, continuing
until 1869. While in that position he had great influence in causing
the withdrawal of the French from Mexico, owing to his intimacy with
Napoleon III, the French emperor. For many years he exercised a
powerful influence on the politics of the United States.
In 1821 the army was reduced in numbers and Fort Gratiot as one
of the comparatively \mimportant posts, was abandoned, and was only
occupied by two Presbyterian missionaries. Hart and Hudson, who used
the buildings from early in 1822 until the following year as a school
for a short time. The missionaries did not meet with much success,
and left in 1823 for Mackinac. The fort gradually fell into decay, and
ciorQ'^r^B
100
HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY
in 1826 it was described by Schoolcraft, who passed it upon another
official trip, as a mass of ruins.
In 1828 the fort was reoecupied by troops under the command of
Brevet-I\Iajor Alex R. Thompson and it was largelj^ rebuilt during that
and the following year. From this time until June, 1837, a garrison
was continuously maintained under the successive charge of Major
Thompson, from 1828 to July. 1832; Brevet-Major Mathew M. Pa^oie,
from July, 1832, to winter of 1833. and Brevet-Major William Hoff-
UJM'mi.'MKIIIt.
J
Plan of Fort Gratiot
man, who followed Payne and was in command until the fort was aban-
doned in June, 1837.
Llajor Thompson and his wife were cultivated people and the latter
possessed a piano, the only one probably in the county at that time,
and they formed the center of a small social circle which extended many
miles but embraced few people within its circumference, as that was
several years before there was any settlement at what is now Port
Huron.
In the year 1832 occurred the terrible cholera epidemic; the Black
Hawk war was in progress and troops from the east were ordered by
way of the lakes to Chicago. On their arrival at Detroit two men were
taken with the disease and died, and the force was hastily sent on to
Fort Gratiot to be out of danger. They did not leave the scourge be-
hind, however, and by the time of their arrival at the head of St. Clair
HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY 101
river a number of the men were seized with the disease. The facilities
at Fort Gratiot were inadequate to properly care for the number dis-
embarked and sick, and panic seems to have caught the commanding
officers as well as the people. The soldiers apparently were turned
loose on shore, many of them died, others wandered down the river,
and were generally met by the settlers with help, but often by fright-
ened refusals of assistance or even food. Those dying at the fort were
buried in a small cemetery upon the military reservation, and when the
reservation was divided and sold, their remains were removed to Lake-
side cemetery.
At that time Louis Facer occupied a building on the north side of
Black river, east of Huron avenue, and his son, W. D. Facer, related
that upon the coming of the cholera infected troops, his father boarded
up the windows and barred the doors, but the soldiers came in such
numbers begging for coffee that his mother could not refuse, and all
day long, through a broken window pane, cups of strong coffee were
handed out to the men, who in turn paid so liberally that at the end
of the day she had received seventy-two dollars.
During the period from 1828 to 1837 Captains Thomas J. Beall,
Waddy V. Cobbs, Levi Whiting and Owen Ransom — who died after
a short service here, July 3, 1836 — were stationed here with William
W. Morris, Frederick Searle, Edward C. Ross, Amos B. Eaton and
James M. Hill, as first lieutenants, and Isaac P. Simonton, Samuel P.
Heintzleman, Julius Kingsbury, George W. Patten, John M. Clendenin,
Danforth H. Tufts, John H. Miller, Thomas Johns, Silas Casey, and
Henry W. Wessels as second lieutenants.
From June, 1837, the fort was unoccupied for about a year, when
it was again garrisoned with troops, this time under the command of
Colonel John L. Gardner, who was followed in 18-11 by Lieutenant-
Colonel James S. IMcIntosh, under whose superintendence the fort w^as
entirely rebuilt. A plan of the fort as rebuilt is subjoined.
It was during the fall of 1837 that a detachment from the Brady
Guards of Detroit came to the fort and removed the military property,
stored there, to Detroit. It was the time of the so-called Patriot war.
All along the border from Niagara Falls to Port Huron there was ex-
citement and alarm. There was much unrest in Canada and many
sympathizers in the United States were ready to take up arms and go
to the assistance of the oppressed Canadians. The United States gov-
ernment issued a proclamation of neutrality but many hot-headed par-
tisans were ready to violate that. It was feared that these military
supplies w^ould be seized by the "Patriots" and to avoid that danger,
the detachment above referred to was sent with the steamer General
Macomb to take the supplies to Detroit. After some trouble, and a nar-
row escape from altercation, the material was put on board, and started
for Detroit. The steamer, however, was stopped by the ice, was com-
pelled to come back to St. Clair, and from there everything was carried
safely overland to Detroit and kept until all danger was over.
From 1845 to July 14, 1846, the fort was under the command of
Brevet-Captain James W. Anderson, and at the latter date the troops
were withdrawn and sent to take part in the ]\Iexican war, leaving the
102 HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY
fort unoccupied until 1848, when it was again garrisoned for a period
of four years, first commanded by Brevet-Major Benjamin Alvord,
who subsequently became paymaster of the army, and while here was
with his wife an active participant in the social and intellectual activi-
ties of the small village of Port Huron.
Major Alvord was followed in 1851 by Major Gabriel J. Rains, who
resigned from the army in 1861 to enter the Confederate army, in
which he served with distinction.
During the period from 1838 to 1852 Captains Isaac L^Tide, James
L. Thompson, Samuel P. Heintzleman and Charles S. ]\Ierchant, with
First Lieutenants Randolph B. Marcy, AVilliam P. Bainbridge, Simon
H. Drum, Thomas R. McConnell, Edmund Russell and Thomas J. Mont-
gomery, and Second Lieutenants William A. Nichols, Leslie Chase, Wil-
liam Irvin, Pinkney Lugenbeel, James W. Schureman, C. W. Howard,
Richard I. Dodge, William A. Slaughter, and James M. L. Henry, were
stationed at the fort, and two of them indicated their approval of their
surroundings by taking wives from the county. Lieutenant j\Iontgomery
marrying a daughter of Duthan Northup, a former county treasurer,
and Lieutenant Slaughter, a daughter of John Wells, and sister of Fred
L. Wells. Both of these officers lived but a short time to enjoy their
happiness. Lieutenant Montgomery dying in Oregon in 1854, and Lieu-
tenant Slaughter was killed by the Indians in Washington territory in
1855.
From the time the troops left in 1852 the fort remained unoccupied
until 1866, except that during the Civil war it was used to some extent
as a rendezvous in recruiting various regiments, especially the Twenty-
seventh Michigan Infantry. It was during this period that Samuel
Edison, the father of the celebrated electrician, Thomas A. Edison, oc-
cupied a house upon the reservation which had been built about 1841
by Chancellor Walworth of New York, for his daughter, Mrs. Edgar
Jenkins, the wife of the post storekeeper.
In the summer of 1866 Captain David L. ^Montgomery, shortly suc-
ceeded by Captain and Brevet Alajor Fergus Walker, with Captain
William P. Atwell and Lieutenants John L. Worden and John J. 'Con-
nell, and a small company', took charge of the fort. Captain Walker
remained for about two years, and it was while he was in charge that
a bloody affray took place between some of the soldiers and some mem-
bers of the volunteer fire brigade of Port Huron. Several men were
severely injured, and it became known in local historj^ as The Riot.
Captain Walker was followed in 1869 by Lieutenant Colonel Pink-
ney Lugenbeel, who after remaining about a year was succeeded by
Major Martin D. Hardin. With the latter was Captain Calvin D. Me-
haffey, who retired in December, 1870, because of failing health, and
was succeeded by Captain Thomas M. Tolman, who had command until
July, 1874. During this period of occupancy Captain Alfred E. Bates
and William H. Sterling, First Lieutenants George H. Zeigler and
John Hamilton, with Second Lieutenants George Duff, and Hugh T.
Reed and Edward W. Casey, son of the Silas Casey stationed here
in 1834-6, were also stationed at the fort. Lieutenant Duff coming in 1869
HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY 103
and continuing to make his home at Port Huron after his retirement
from the army in 1878.
In July, 1874, Captain Francis Clarke with Lieutenants William
Conway, and Edward W. Casey brought a company to garrison the
fort, but during most of the two following years the troops were away,
first in fighting the Indians in the western territories, and then in pro-
tecting property during the labor riots in Pennsylvania. Captain
Clarke returned in October, 1877, and remained until Fort Cratiot was
finally abandoned as a military post in the spring of 1879. From 1877
to the abandonment. Lieutenant Conway and Lieutenant John J. Crit-
tenden were at the fort, and the latter followed the worthy example of
some of his predecessors, marrying the daughter of Judge AVilliam T.
Mitchell. In 1907, after distinguished service in the United States,
Cuba and the Philippines, Colonel Crittenden retired from the army
to make his home in Port Huron.
The abandonment and the sale of a part in 1870, and the balance in
1881 of the military reservation by the government form the last scene
of the military occupation of this county, and thus passed away forever
the visible evidence in this county of the nation's power in arms. When
first established it was literally an outpost on the frontier, a defence
against the British and the Indians, and with only a few scattered white
people between it and Detroit. Sixty-five years later it was hemmed in
and encroached upon by all the evidences of modern civilization. The
frontier had many years before retreated farther and farther west
and finally vanished. The Indian, once an uncertain friend or danger-
ous enemy, had ceased to exist so far as concerned this part of the
country, and the extensive and increasing friendly relations with Canada
have made unthinkable the need of any defence against her aggression
or of any basis for attack upon her.
A considerable number of the officers stationed at Fort Gratiot dur-
ing its existence became distinguished in the history of the United
States, at least twenty having obtained sufficient rei)utation to justify
their inclusion in the ordinary biographical dictionary of Americans.
Captain William Whistler, who was stationed at the fort in 1815,
with a company of Third U. S. Infantry, was the son of an Irish soldier
who served in the English army and was serving under Burgoyne at
the latter 's surrender. After the close of the Revolutionary war, he
entered the American army and becoming captain, was stationed for
some time at Detroit. The son was appointed a lieutenant in 1801 when
he had just become of age, and in 1812 was promoted to a captaincy.
He took part in the war of that year near Detroit and was among the
officers surrendered with General Hull. After long service he retired
and at his death in 1863 he was, with one exception, the oldest army
officer in the United States.
General John McNiel, who was in command in 1816 was at the time
a major U. S. A., but had been brevetted colonel in 1814 for notable
services at the battles of Chippewa and Niagara, having been severely
wounded in the battle of Lundy's Lane, so that he remained lame dur-
ing his life. He was brevetted brigadier general in 1824 but resigned
from the army in 1830 and was appointed by President Jackson, sur-
104 HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTl'
veyor of the port of Boston, which position he held for several years,
dying in 1850 at the age of sixty-six. His name is perpetuated in che
McNiel tract in Port Huron, his connection with that property being
more fully referred to in another chapter.
]\Iajor Alex R. Thompson, who was in command from 1828 to July,
1832, was the son of a Revolutionary soldier and after graduating from
West Point in 1812 became a captain in 1814, served in the Black Hawk
war, leaving Fort Gratiot in 1832, and was killed December 25, 1837,
in the Seminole war in Florida.
Samuel P. Heintzleman served at Fort Gratiot at two periods in
different capacities, in 1828 as second lieutenant, and in 1846 as cap-
tain until the force was withdrawn and sent to IMexico. After distin-
guished service in the ^Mexican war, he Avas stationed some years in
California and among the Indians in the west, and at the breaking out
of the Civil war was appointed brigadier-general of volunteers. He
served during the war and was retired in 1869 by special act of con-
gress with the rank of major-general.
Silas Casey served as second lieutenant at the fort from 1834 to
1836. He took an active part in the Seminole and ^Mexican wars and
was promoted for gallant conduct and thanked by the legislature of
Rhode Island, his native state. During the Civil war he occupied im-
portant positions and in 1865 was brevetted major-general in the regu-
lar arm3^ He retired from active service in 1868 and died in 1882 at
the age of seventy-five. He was a leading authority on "Tactics," hav-
ing published two books on the subject, which were much used and
highl}^ commended. A son, Edward W. Case}^ also served at the fort
as second lieutenant in 1874.
Major John L. Gardner entered the army in 1812, serving first in
Canada, later in the Florida war, and after serving at frontier posts,
including Fort Gratiot, commanded a regiment throughout the Mexican
war. In 1860 he was stationed at Charleston harbor and in command
of Fort ]\Ioultrie. Although he had less than fifty men, he announced
his intention of defending the fort to the last extremity against the se-
cessionists. Thereupon Secretary of "War Floyd relieved him from com-
mand and he was succeeded by Major Anderson, who removed the gar-
rison to historic Fort Sumter. In 1865, at the age of seventy-two, he
was brevetted brigadier-general for long and faithful service.
Benjamin Alvord was a native of Vermont, born in 1813 ; graduat-
ing from West Point at the age of twenty, he served in the Seminole
war, and then for two years as instructor in mathematics at West
Point. In the jMexican war he was promoted for gallantry in several
engagements, and after return from there, came to take command of
Fort Gratiot where he was stationed four years, and until the fort was
abandoned in 1852.
In 1854 he became paymaster, serving for eight years, and served
during the Civil war as brigadier-general of volunteers. From 1872
until his retirement in 1881 he was chief of the pay department, with
rank of brigadier-general. He ranked high in authority on mathe-
matics and kindred subjects, having written several treatises.
For about a year prior to May, 1852, Fort Gratiot was under the
HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY 105
command of Major Gabriel J. Rains, who was born in North Carolina
in 1803, and graduated from the IMilitary Academy in 1827. He was
severely wounded in the Seminole war, and his death in 1881 was the
result of these wounds. He served with high reputation through the
Mexican war and then for several years w^as in the west, chiefly en-
gaged with the Indians. He was made lieutenant-colonel in June, 1860,
but resigned in July, 1861, and entered the Confederate army in which
he was made brigadier-general. He rendered valuable service in many
directions for the Confederates.
Charles S. ^lerchant, captain at the fort, in 1838-9, was the first
cadet at the West Point Military Academy in 1812. After serving on the
northern frontier posts, he was placed in command of Fort Brown on the
Rio Grande, during the JMexican war. In 1853 he was sent with troops
to California on the steamer San Francisco, which w^as wrecked off Cape
Hatteras, and Major Merchant, as he was then, proved himself a brave
and capable officer and was the means of saving many lives. He re-
mained in active service throughout the Civil war, and at the time of
his death in 1879 he was the senior officer of the army in date of orig-
inal commission.
Other distinguished officers wdio served at the fort were Colonel
James S. Mcintosh, Lieutenants Kingsbury, Patten, Morris, Wessels,
Marcy, Nichols, Drum, Dodge and Eaton, all of whom established rec-
ords of efficiency and gallantry, which are a source of pride to the
army and to the people of the United States. In addition to his military
service, Marcy was a famous hunter and sportsman and also wrote a
number of books, the best known of which is "Border Reminiscences."
CHAPTER IX
EARLY GOVERNMENT OF THE COUNTY
First County Commissioners — First Commissioners' Meeting — Jail
Built — Three Road Districts Created — Samuel AVard — Judge
George A. O'Keefe — Judge Z. W. Bunce — Extravagant Commis-
sioners — Miscellaneous County Legislation (1824-1827) — Board
of Supervisors Created — Sinclair Becomes St. Clair — Status op
County Buildings (1827-8) — Plainfield Township Changed to
Clay — First Bridges Built — R.vlph Wadhams — Six Supervisors
in 1836 — Pine River Bridge at St. Clair — Belle River Bridge at
New^port — Court House Improvements.
"When the county of St. Clair was organized in 1821 it came under
the operation of a law which had been in force since May 8, 1820, pro-
viding for the appointment by the governor of three county commis-
sioners in each county- who were to hold sessions on the first ]\Iondays
of March, June, September and December in each year, and on other
days to which they might adjourn.
They were to adjust all claims against the county, determine what
property should be assessed, divide the county into townships, sub-
mitting the same to the governor for his approbation, recommend per-
sons for constables, and divide the tOA\Tiships into road districts and
appoint overseers of the districts. For these duties they were to receive
the salar}^ of thirty dollars a year, while their clerk, who was the clerk
of the count}'' court, was to receive fifty dollars yearly.
First County Commissioners
Shortly after the proclamation organizing the county. Governor Cass
performed the duty of appointing the county commissioners, and he
selected Andrew "Westbrook, George Cottrell and John K. Smith. This
was a trio of notable pioneers.
Andrew Westbrook was a native of Massachusetts, born in 1771, and
while a child, was taken by his father to Nova Scotia. "When about
twelve years of age he came with his parents to Delaware, on the Thames,
Upper Canada, where, as he grew to middle age, he acquired consider-
able wealth, several thousand acres of land, and good buildings, includ-
ing a distillery, which seems to have been in those daj^s a not uncommon
property. When the War of 1812 broke out he was offered a commission
106
HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY 107
as captain in the Canadian militia, but refused, and came to Detroit and
offered his services to Governor Hull, which were accepted, and he per-
formed many and valuable services as captain of a company of scouts.
The British official despatches of the time contain frequent reference to
the "traitor Westbrook," as they almost invariably term him. Shortly
after leaving his home to join the American army, his merchandise was
destroyed by the British, and a company of American soldiers was sent
to bring away such of the remaining personal property as they could.
Westbrook accompanied the force, and as the enemy was near, he himself
set fire to his buildings and property to prevent their use by the l^ritish.
His landed property, for which he had paid over thirteen thousand
dollars, was confiscated by the British government. He had at that time
a large family of twelve or thirteen children, and after the war, came
up the St. Clair river in 1815 and purchased two private claims, Nos.
243 and 303, in what is now the township of East China, and soon be-
came the largest and most prosperous farmer in the district. He became
a considerable owner of land in the county, buying among other tracts
a part of what became the Fort Gratiot Military Reservation, which he
sold to the government, and about 200 acres in the south part of section
15 in the city of Port Huron. In 1828 congress passed an act granting
him two sections of land in consideration of his services in the War of
1812, and he selected the largest part of it from public lands in the
township of Clay.
While this county was still a part of Macomb county he was ap-
pointed, by Governor Cass, supervisor of highways.
His first wife having died in 1815, he married Nancy Thorn, daugh-
ter of William Thorn and sister of Major John Thorn, and after her
death married iMargaret Ann Crawford, whom he divorced in 1834 and
he subsequently married a fourth time.
In June, 1826, Thomas L. McKenney, United States commissioner of
Indian affairs, on his way from Detroit to the Indian tribes near the
bead waters of the Mississippi in the schooner "Ghent," was becalmed
not far from the Westbrook farm. In company with Colonel Croghan,
Westbrook 's old commander, ]\IcKenney called upon Westbrook, whom
he described as being "about six feet two inches tall, his hair once sandy
or rather fox-colored, but the fierceness of the reddish cast now softened
by an intermixture of gray. A fine face, the features moderate in size.
and well proportioned, the expression of the countenance mild but firm.
He has a quick moving intelligent eye ; his form is good, with broad
shoulders and chest. He has no education, yet talks well and is precise
and graphic in his expressions." He was then in his fifty-fifth year,
married to his second wife, and had a family of fourteen children. "If
he once resolves upon the accomplishment of any object he is sure to
realize it; the means are mere materials to be judged of by his concep-
tions of right, and these are generally made to obey the impulses of
the moment, come from what quarter or involve what consequences they
may." He died in 1835.
George Cottrell was born in Detroit in 1783, the son of George
Cottrell, Sr.. Avho in 1781 had obtained from the Chippewa Indians
a deed to a considerable tract of land upon St. Clair river, to which he
108 HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY
moved in 1784. In September, 1805, he was appointed ensign in a com-
pany of militia to be raised in the district extending from Lake Huron
to Lake St. Clair. In January, 1806, the territory from which his com-
pany Avas to come was changed to commence at the mouth of Belle river
and extend to the mouth of St. Clair river, and include the most south-
ern and western inhabitants in that vicinity. April 8, 1818. Governor
Cass appointed him supervisor of highways of St. Clair township, which
then included all of what is now St. Clair county. George and four
of his brothers, Henry, Jolm, James and David, were granted private
claim No. 187, containing 420 acres. James died 3^oung, unmarried, and
John's interest was bought by his brothers and he removed to Grosse
Point, Wayne county. George remained a commissioner until the board
was abolished in 1827. He was elected supervisor for 1829 and 1830
for Cottrellville toAATiship, and was during his life a man of much in-
fluence in his community.
George Cottrell, Sr., was either the son of a Captain George Cottrell
of the English army or may have been the son of a German by the
name of Hoover. The doubt arises from the fact that when an infant
he was taken by the Indians who massacred both the Cottrell and Hoover
families then living in the ]\Iohawk valley, and as there were Cottrell
and Hoover sons of about the same age, there was no absolute certainty
of identity. It is also said that the boy was redeemed from the Indians
by a man named Cottrell who brought him up. Mr. Cottrell spelled his
own name Cotterall. While a young man he came to Detroit, about
1770, and afterwards settled on the St. Clair river on land some of which
is still in the possession of his descendants, obtaining a deed from Chip-
peMM chiefs dated October 5th, 1781. and afterwards presenting claim
based on long possession to the board of land commissioners and ob-
taining patent from the United States.
John K. Smith was born in Westchester county, New York, Novem-
ber 29, 1785. His parents removed to Chittenden county, Vermont,
when he was three years of age. Although he had a crippled arm and
leg he was active and acquired a fair education and practiced law at
Pottsdam, N. Y. for a time. Shortly after the breaking out of the War
of 1812 he performed service of value to the American army near him,
and at the suggestion of the colonel in charge he became the forage
master and licensed trader of the regiment, coming with it to Detroit
in 1815, where it was disbanded the following year. Finding that no
broAvn earthenware was manufactured in Michigan and believing there
was a good market for such goods, he arranged with two of the newly
discharged soldiers who were practical potters, to join with him, and
in search for suitable clay, found a deposit on Stronmess or Dickinson's
Island. Pie leased the property from one of the Laughton heirs and in
the spring of 1817 was actively at work, continuing through that year.
The J olloAAdng winter he taught school on Harsen 's Island, and in Febru-
ary, 1818, began his official career in ]\Iichigan. with his appointment
by Governor Cass as justice of the peace for ]\Iacomb county. Two years
later, while St. Clair county was still attached to Macomb, he was ap-
pointed commissioner.
In May, 1821, when the comity of St. Clair was organized, Mr. Smith
HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY
109
was appointed one of the three county commissioners, and also associate
justice of the county court, and in addition, justice of the peace. He
fulfilled all these duties to the great satisfaction of the people, and was
continued as justice until his death in 1855.
In 1826, when the postoffice of Plainfield was established, he was
commissioned the first postmaster, holding the office until September,
18-11, and beginning again in August, 1843, with the name changed to
John K. Smith
Algonac, he held the position imtil his death in 1855. He was appointed
judge of probate in May, 1828, continuing in that office by reappoint-
ment in 1832 until Michigan became a state in 1836, and was the first
elected probate judge of the county, holding the office four years.
Mr. Smith was a man of high character, unblemished reputation,
strict impartialit3^ and an active influential man in the community. In
1819 he married Catherine McDonald, daughter of Angus INIcDonald,
who had come over to Baldoon, Lord Selkirk's settlement on the Chenail
Ecarte, in 1804, and later moved over on Stromness Island.
110 HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY
First Commissioners' Meeting
The first meeting of tlie new commissioners was held Jime I, 1821,
all being present. Their first official proceeding was to determine what
property should be assessed, which they did by the following resolution :
"Resolved, that the following property be assessed for taxation the
present year (to- wit) : Improved lands, wild ditto, orcharding, build-
ings, distilleries, grist mills, saw mills, horses, three years old and up-
wards ; horses, two years and not three years ; oxen, cows, young cattle,
two years old or not four years ; hogs over one year old, household furni-
ture, callashes, carrialls, wagons, carts, gold watches, silver watches,
brass clocks and wooden clocks."
To the modern reader the very names of some of the articles to be
assessed suggest a condition of life long since passed away. The caleche
now survives only at Quebec for the benefit of the tourist. The wooden
clock is a curiosity found only in historical museums, and the cariole,
anglicised into carryall, has joined the caleche.
Joseph Mini, who had been appointed by the governor, supervisor of
highways, was by the board appointed one of the assessors and directed
to assess and return his assessment the first Monday in July.
The board then directed the supervisor to open the highway from
the mouth of Belle river to Pine river, or appropriate for that purpose
half the labor required by statute for that year, and adjourned. The
new county was now fairly under way.
The assessment roll made by the sheriff, James B. Wolverton, and
Assessor Joseph JMini, in pursuance of the direction of the commis-
sioners, the first assessment of the county, is of great interest and is
reproduced in full in another chapter.
An interesting commentary upon the state of settlement is sho-\\Tfi
in the action of the board in fixing at their meeting of August 29, 1821,
a bount.y of one dollar for wolves under the age of six months, and two
dollars for those over six months.
Jail Built
Mr. James Fulton, the proprietor of the land upon which the town
of St. Clair was placed and the county seat located, had agreed as an
inducement to have the county seat put at St. Clair, that he would
donate the necessar^^ land for county buildings and also erect the court
house. He was very dilatory in his movements, but had built his own
house in the block just south of the public square in St. Clair, and it
appears from subsequent proceedings — although there is no record of
the action under the proper date — that on October 26, Fulton agreed
with the commissioners to erect a building at the rear of his house to
be used as a county jail. On December 3, the board voted to pay him
for the building $35, and to Mr. Westbrook, two shillings per pound for
the hinges and bolts, and on December 10th, they declared the building
to be the common jail for the county until further action.
The first prisoner confined in the new jail was John Harrow, who
was under indictment for assault and battery upon a peddler. His
HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY 111
confinement, however, was not very close and he doubtless enjoyed his
sociable visit which was not long, with the jailer and his family. Ap-
parently up to this time it had been the custom to have prisoners
"boarded around," as three different persons are allowed sums for that
purpose.
At the meeting of March 4, 1822, they voted $100 for public expenses,
and raised the bounty on wolves twenty-five per cent. The same classes
of property are directed to be assessed for 1822 as were assessed the
preceding year.
Three Road Districts Created
At this meeting the board divided the township of St. Clair, which
had theretofore included the whole of the county, into three road dis-
tricts, and appointed supervisors for them, at the same time directing
that the division be submitted to the governor, that he might incorporate
them into townships to be named respectively, Plainfield, Cottrellville
and St. Clair. Upon this being communicated to the governor, he issued
a proclamation in March, 1823, erecting the townships as requested.
The name of Plainfield was taken from the to\\Ti of that name in
Vermont in w^hich ]\Ir. Smith had lived. Cottrellville took its name
from the family name of one of the commissioners.
At the meeting of the board, December 2, 1822, Mr. Harvey Stewart,
who had been appointed in the place of John K. Smith, appeared to
complete the board.
Mr. Stewart, born in Massachusetts, came to Harsen's Island in
April, 1815, moving on land belonging to his second wife, Mary Grave-
raet, a grand-daughter of Jacob Harsen, the original proprietor of
Harsen's Island. He was supervisor of Clay township from 1828 to
1833, the father of Aura P. Stewart, and an influential man.
At this meeting appears the first mention in the official proceedings
of another of the notable pioneers of the county, Samuel Ward, who
had been previously in the same year appointed by the governor one of
the associate judges of the county court.
Samuel Ward
Samuel Ward was born May 20, 1784, in Wells, Rutland county,
New York. Working summers and going to school winters, he was
brought up to industry and economy. Leaving home at 19, after some
years at Syracuse, he was engaged on Lake Ontario during the War of
1812 in transporting supplies for the American army. This gave him
a Imowledge of and taste for the boat business which determined his
after life. In 1817 he moved to.Conneaut, Ohio, and the next year,
having built a small schooner, called the Salem Packet, he traded along
the lakes. In that year the public lands in Michigan, which had been
surveyed, were first thrown open to purchase, and Captain Ward, as
he was generally known, selected and bought the land in sections 1 and
12, lying between Belle and St. Clair rivers. The next spring, with
his family, consisting of wife and one son, he moved to his new location.
112 HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY
where he stayed until his death in 1854. At the time of his moving he
was thirty-five years of age and worth about $3,000, a considerable for-
tune for those daj's, and what was worth much more, had energ}", force-
fulness, foresight, and a gift for trading. His locating at the place
which was subsequently^ named Newport, was the means of bringing
several others, his older brother, Eber Ward, father of the well Imown
Eber B. Ward, James B. Wolverton, first sheriff of the county, William
Gallagher — both of these were nephews of Samuel Ward's wdfe — and
Bela Knapp.
In 1822, Mr. Ward was appointed bj' Governor Cass as associate
justice of the countj^ court, and continued to act in that capacity until
that court ceased to exist in 1827. In 1823 he built, in company with
William Gallagher, a saw-mill and grist-mill on land in section 15 of
what is now China township, which they bought from the government.
This mill site, subsequently passed to Mr. Radike and continued to be
used for man3^ years for mill purposes. In 1825, settlers w^ere some-
what more numerous and in order tliat his mills might be reached by
wagon or cart, the county commissioners were petitioned to build a road
on the south side of Belle river to Ward & Gallagher's mills, which
was ordered done.
In 1824, Captain Ward built upon St. Clair river the schooner "St.
Clair," of twenty-eight tons burthen, and the following j^ear two
more, the "Albatross" and "]\Iar.shal Ney, " the latter of .seventy-three
tons. This boat was part owned by Oliver Newberry, of Detroit. In
the summer of 1826 he took the "St. Clair" with a load of potash, furs
and gun stocks to New York by way of the Erie Canal, and brought l)aek
a cargo of merchandise and salt. A part of the eastbound cargo of potash
was furnished b}^ Thomas Palmer. In 1831 he procured the establishing
upon liis property of a postoffice, which was named Belle River, and he
was appointed the first postmaster, holding the position until Septem-
ber, 1836. He was a supervisor of Cottrellville towTiship in 1832 and
1833. In 1834 he platted the southern portion of his property, lying be-
tween Belle and St. Clair rivers, into lots, naming it the village of New-
port, and in 1836, during the height of the speculative land fever, he
sold a part of this platted property to five men from Ohio, Messrs. Segar,
Ingraham, Tallman, Folger and Phillips, at a very high price. Thej^ paid
$3,000 down, and as within a j^ear the panic of 1837 came on, they were
unable to pay more and deeded back the land shortly after. Duthan
Northup came to the county as the representative of the purchasers, and
through their failure was greath^ reduced in circumstances. He taught
school and singing school and was county treasurer for eight years from
January, 1845. He afterwards removed to Ohio where he died.
Captain Ward rapidly extended his interests, chiefly in boats, and
in 1839 began the construction of the steamer "Huron," and by 1854
had built by himself, or in company with his nephew, Eber B. Ward,
fourteen steamers aggregating over 14,000 tons. At his death he left
a fortune of over $300,000 and no lineal descendants, his only son hav-
ing died years before. He was about six feet in height, rather spare in
form and angular in features, gray eyes, alert but pleasant expression
and manners. Though of ordinarily kindly disposition, he became rather
HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY 113
autocratic and disliked opposition. He was determined in character and
of the type of man to make a valuable and successful pioneer.
At the meeting in March, 1823, caleches were dropped from the
class of assessable property, and double sleighs added, an evidence of
the changing conditions.
Judge George A. O'Keefe
In June, 1823, Mr. George A. O'Keefe makes his appearance and is
allowed five dollars for his services as prosecuting attorney at the
January term, 1823. This O'Keefe was a noted character of the early
days. He came to Detroit in 1819 ; was a liberally educated Irishman,
educated in England, but bred to the bar in Ireland, and also spent
nearly three years in a law office in New York City before coming to
Detroit. At this time he was about twenty-seven years old, about six
feet three inches tall, rather thin, handsome, with a decidedly aristo-
cratic air, but wholly indifferent to his appearance and extremely in-
temperate. Shortly after arriving in Detroit he became a partner of
Samuel T. Davenport. He took out naturalization papers in June, 1824.
Becoming acquainted with Judge Bunce, through his influence he was
made prosecuting attorney of this county, and continued in that office
most of the time until 1836, although retaining his residence in Detroit.
In 1837 he was elected judge of probate of Wayne county, holding the
office one term of four years. In 1844 he was made a justice of the
peace. A visitor to the probate office at the time he was judge, calls
him the greatest sloven in the state. Able, witty, but erratic, and dis-
sipated, his talents were wasted, and he died in 1853 with but little
accomplished.
The Cottrells were much in evidence at this time. George Cottrell
was one of the commissioners, Henry Cottrell, a brother, was appointed
sheriff at the organization of the county, and with the exception of one
short intermission, continued in the office for some years later. He is
said to have been energetic, industrious and prompt in the discharge of
his official duties. For his services as assessor and prosecutor he was
allowed at this meeting. $11.75. John Cottrell. another brother, who
had assisted the sheriff in making the assessment, was allowed $5.00.
David Cottrell, another brother, was treasurer, and received for serv-
ices in that capacity, $4.00. Mr. Aura P. Stewart, in his "Reminis-
cences" calls David a candid, judicious man, possessing good natural
abilities and deserving and receiving public favor for many years as
justice of the peace, supervisor, and at one time, county judge. There
had been another brother, James, who died a young man."
Judge Z. W. Bunce
At the session of January 31, 1824, the justices of the county court
receive for the first time an allowance, although the court had been in
operation since January, 1822. Zephaniah W. Bunce, who had been ap-
pointed an associate justice in June, 1821, was in 1822 made chief
justice, with Samuel Ward and David Oakes his associates. Mr. Bunce
Vol. I— S
Judge Zephaniah W. Bunce
HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY 115
was in some respects the most noted pioneer who ever lived in the county.
He was born in Hartford, Conn., in 1787. Brought up to the trade of
hatter, he early engaged for himself in that, and the dry goods and
clothing business. In 1817, when in business in Albany, influenced by
stories of opportunity in the territory of Michigan, he left for Detroit,
with a stock of ready-made clothing, and after a short delay in Detroit
came up the St. Clair river. On arriving opposite the place where he
afterwards made his home, he was struck by its appearance and re-
membered that in a dream before he left Albany he had seen this place
and he determined to make that his home.
Mr. Bunce's goods were taken to Fort Gratiot, but he took possession
of the property, then government land at the mouth of what became
known as Bunce's creek, but which had before been called Baby creek.
Although the land had been surveyed by the government, it had not
been placed on sale, and it was not mitil the next year that he could
locate the land and obtain any legal rights to it. At the time of his
taking possession there was in evidence the remains of an old saw-mill
and dam which had been built by Antoine Morass about 1786, and there
is tradition that another mill had been built by a Frenchman nearly a
hundred 3^ears before that.
In 1818 Mr. Bunce built a saw-mill upon his creek, which had a
capacity of two or three thousand feet per day, comparing favorably
M'ith other mills of the time. The next ten years he spent in operating
his mill, dealing with the Indians, buying furs, and performing official
duties. His first offices were judicial ones and brought him the title
of judge, by which he was generally known during the rest of his life.
On i\Iarch 28, 1820, Governor Cass appointed Mr. Bunce associate
justice of the coimty court, and also justice of the peace. As St. Clair
county was at that time attached to Macomb county, both of these com-
missions ran to him as of the latter county.
On August 7, 1821, he was appointed by the governor, judge of pro-
bate, but it is not probable that the duties of this office consumed much
time or brought in much revenue. In 1822 he was appointed chief jus-
tice of the county court and continued to hold that position until the
court was abolished in 1827. In 1825, he with Martin W. Peckins, leased
the Morass mill on Mill creek, at what is now Abbottsford, and operated
it a year. September 13, 1827, he married Louise Ann Duryea, of New
York City, and bringing back with him a stock of goods, continued the
store business for about a year at Fort Gratiot. During that term D. B.
Harrington, then a young man of twenty, and Mr. Bunce's wife's
brother, John R. Duryea, were employed in the store.
In 1828 Judge Bunce operated a saw mill for Thomas S. Knapp on
Black river in what is now Grant township, and then returned to his
home on St. Clair river, where he remained until 1833, when he moved
to the Morass mill at Abbottsford, w^hich had been purchased by Mr.
Abbott, of Detroit, and operated that mill until 1846, when he re-
turned again to his home, this time to remain until the end of his long
and eventful life in 1889. He built a new mill at the mouth of Bunce
creek upon his return, to be operated by water power, and two years
later changed it to steam.
116 HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY
In 1824 the territory passed under the second stage of government,
consisting of governor and legislative council, and I\Ir. Bunce was
selected as a member of that body, and acted efficiently in that capacity
lantil the close of the second council in April, 1827.
In 1833 an act went into effect providing for a circuit court of the
territory, to consist of a presiding circuit judge and in each county
two associate judges, residents of the county, and ]\Ir. Bunce was ap-
pointed one of the associate judges of St. Clair county, holding the po-
sition until 181:0, the last four j^ears by election, after Michigan be-
came a state. In 18-46 he was elected ''second" county judge. In 1831
the post office of Desmond was established and Judge Bunce made post-
master, which position he filled for two years, until he went to Abbotts-
ford in 1833. In June, 1829, he was appointed colonel of the fifth
regiment of militia.
Judge Bunce was a most upright, conscientious man and official,
pleasant and courteous in his manner, kind and thoughtful for all, a
gentleman in the fullest sense of the word. He lived respected and be-
loved, dying October 8, 1889, at the great age of 102, having retained
his faculties until the end.
Extravagant Commissioners
By 1824 it evidently appeared to the people of the county that tht^ir
county commissioners were drawing too extravagant salaries, as on July
13th of that year Mr. Bunce, member of the legislative council, brought
in a bill which was promptly passed and approved ])y the governor, fix-
ing the salary of the commissioners of St. Clair county at ten dollars,
and so far as appears from the records, this reduction to one-third the
former salary met no opposition from the officials themselves. County
expenses, however, were rising rapidly. At the meeting of ]\Iarch 1,
1824, the sum of two hundred dollars for public expenditures was voted.
Miscellaneous County Legislation (1824-1827)
At the meeting of June in this year, there being present Andrew
Westbrook and George Cottrell, the board generously voted unanimously
to deduct two thousand dollars from the assessed valuation of Andrew
Westbrook 's taxable property. It may be that this was to partially
compensate for the expected loss of salary.
On September 6th. the board established a road to run from John
Riley's to Morass's mills on Black river, and Jeremiah Harrington was
the surveyor who laid it out. It is not probable that Mr. Harrington,
the father of Daniel B. Harrington, had either the instruments or the
technical knowledge of a modern survej'or, but he could view the
ground, select the route, and blaze the way as well as if he had the
finest instruments. John Riley was a well known half breed Indian,
who lived on the Black river reservation, and had his house, the only
one on the reservation, near its northeast corner, or about the south-
west corner of Water and Military streets in Port Huron. The Morass
mill was on section 17 of Clyde township, and was operated the follow-
HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY 117
ing year by Judge Bunce and some years later by James Abbott, who
laid out the village of Abbottsford, near the mill.
George Cottrell and Ilarvey Stewart were the only commissioners
present at this meeting and they allowed themselves the salary provided
by the new law, but evidently did not think it necessary to make any
allowance for Mr. Westbrook.
At the meeting ^Nlarch 7, 1825, the entire board was present. They
allowed B. F. H. AVitherell, a well known lawyer of Detroit, who had
been prosecuting attorney, $15.00 for services at the January term of
court. This was a fifty per cent, increase over his previous allowance,
and indicates either that business had increased, or that his rate of
charges had risen.
At this meeting Mr. Westbrook received his delayed allowance as
commissioner, and a road was ordered on the south side of Belle river
from its mouth to the grist mill. This mill was the Ward and Gal-
lagher mill in section 15 of China township, on the site subsequently
long occupied by Radike's mill.
To the list of taxable property this year there w^as added saw and
grist mills, sawed lumber, shingles and square timber, merchandise,
distilleries and potash factories, and the amount of money provided for
current expenditures increased to $400. This addition of taxable prop-
erty speaks loudly of the development going on, as does also the increase
of 100 per cent in the amount of taxes raised.
At the meeting of March 13, 1826, the same classes of taxable prop-
erty as in 1825 were made, with the addition of such boats as were not
required to pay the fees of the custom house in the district.
The same amount, $400, of taxes was ordered raised, as during the
preceding year. The township of St. Clair was divided into two dis-
tricts, the first district to include all the people of the township except
those on the banks of Black river above the northwest corner of John
Riley's fence, the second district to include the dwellers on Black river
above Riley's fence corner to the extremity of the settlements. The
Riley fence corner was about the intersection of Sixth and AVater streets
in the city of Port Huron and the upper limit of the district would take
in the people at the Morass mill.
Cottrellville was divided into three districts and a supervisor named
for each.
At the meeting of June 17th of this year there was allowed to
Thomas Rowland $26 and to Charles Noble $32 for their ■ services as
commissioners appointed by the legislative council to inquire into the
expediency of removing the county seat. An account of this transaction
will be found in another chapter.
At the meeting in Alareh, 1827, tanneries were added to the list of
taxable property, and $500 ordered raised by taxation for county pur-
poses. Various accounts were allowed, a road established from Pine
river to St. Bernard's, a bridge ordered built near the mouth of the
mill stream of Z. W. Bunce, and the board adjourned, in ignorance that
the next month, by action of the legislative council, all boards of county
commissioners would be abolished and their place taken by a board of
supervisors.
118 HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY
At this meeting of the board it was ordered that $5.75 be paid to
Harmon Chamberlin, but the character of the services rendered is not
stated. This is the first appearance on the official records of old Doctor
Chamberlin, as he was familiarly called for many years. Born in Ver-
mont in 1801, he became an orphan at an early age and was brought
up by his uncle, John B. Chamberlin, who moved to Auburn, New York,
and then to Detroit, where the young Harmon obtained his education,
and came to St. Clair county, a young man, about 1820 and settled at
first at Point Aux Chenes, but not long after moved to St. Clair. Find-
ing the people and his patients few, he not only took care of such as
needed medical services, but turned his hand to a variety of other
occupations. Thus, in November, 1827, he is found acting as county
clerk, whose duties he also performed during the following year. In
1829 he also acted as clerk of the circuit court. In 1830 he not only
filled both those offices, but rented a room for the use of the grand
jury, and contracted with the supervisors to make extensive repairs to
the court house for the agreed price of $260. That same .year he mar-
ried the widow of Asa Partridge, who had come to St. Clair in 1827.
He was a strong Whig in his political connections, and in 1835 was an
imsuccessful candidate on that ticket for state representative. In 1836
he was elected sheriff" and re-elected in 1838. In 1849 and 1850 he was
elected state representative, and in 1858 was the mayor of the
city of St. Clair. It Avould seem that the practice of his profes-
sion would suffer from his official duties, but he found time to do
both, to the great satisfaction of the community for a long distance
around his home at St. Clair. He was a skillful physician, kind hearted
and thoughtful, upright and capable in business, and public spirited,
and much credit was due to him for the rebuilding of the court house in
St. Clair after its destruction by fire in 1855, and also for the high school
building there, and at his death in December, 1865 he was sincerely
mourned by the entire community and by large numbers throughout
the county.
Board of Supervisors Created
The act of April, 1827, changed the system of managing county
affairs, and thereafter until 1838 there was a board of supervisors, com-
posed of one supervisor from each township, elected by the people.
Previous to this time there had been three townships in the county:
Plainfield, Cottrellville and St. Clair. By an act approved April 12,
1827, it was probably intended that Cottrellville township should include
all the lower end of the county, including what had formerly been the
township of Plainfield, and it seems to have been so understood by the
people of the county, and the remaining part of the county was divided
into Sinclair and Desmond townships. The supervisors composing the
new board were John S. Fish, from Cottrellville; Everett Beardsley,
from Sinclair, and Martin Peckins, from Desmond. Their first meeting
for the transaction of business was held July 16, 1827. After allowing
various claims, the board resolved "that three of the east lots in a block
situated in the village of Sinclair in the county of St. Clair west of the
HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY 119
court house be and hereby is appropriated to the use of the said county-
agreeable to a deed given to Lewis Cass or his successors in office by-
James Fulton for the use and benefit of said county."
Sinclair Becomes St. Clair
It will be noticed that in this resolution the village is called "Sin-
clair." The original platting by James Fulton of the county seat was
called the ' ' Town of St. Clair. ' ' It seems quite probable that the name
in this form was adopted under the mistaken idea that the old fort
near the mouth of Pine river was Fort St. Clair, and in fact it does
appear in that way upon the map of the private claims made in 1810
by Surveyor Aaron Greeley, and in 1818 Fulton advertised in the
Detroit Gazette that old Fort St. Clair had been laid out into squares
as the town of St. Clair and would be sold at auction in July. In 1828
Thomas Palmer having acquired all the property included within the
town site, replatted it without taking the trouble to vacate the old plat,
and called the new plat the village of Palmer. It is a singular fact that
although this plat was placed of record and lots were bought and sold
for some years described as being in the village of Palmer, the name
of the postoffice was never changed from St. Clair ; and the court records
always describe court as being held in the town of St. Clair.
The foregoing resolution was passed after an act had been passed
by the legislative council changing the boundaries of Cottrellville and
Plainfield and establishing the townships of Sinclair and Desmond in
the place of the former township of St. Clair. Though there was never
any legislative act changing the name of the township back to St. Clair,
all subsequent acts referring to it or altering the boundaries give the
name as St. Clair. For many years there was much uncertainty about
the proper name of the lake, river and town.
The board adopted what would now seem a heroic rate of taxes by
voting fifty per centum for the year, but it is most probable they
intended one-half of one per cent; they no longer had the duty of
prescribing the classes of property to be taxed, as the legislative council
had passed an act to cover the entire subject of taxation.
At a meeting held August 28, 1827, the premium on wolf scalps
was raised to four dollars, which indicates that wolves were scarcer, or
that there was more property which they could kill, and they were
therefore more damaging.
At this meeting, also, the board decided that the building in the rear
of Fulton's dwelling and heretofore used as jail, should no longer be
the county jail.
Status of County Buildings in 1827-8.
On September 3rd the board passed resolutions regarding the court
house buildings, which throw an interesting light upon the buildings
of that time : ' ' Ordered, that the Supervisors do receive the Court
House and Gaol (but in meantime do not concider the same finished
according to contract).
120 HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY
''Ordered, that Notice shall be given by us for the finishing in part
of the Court House & Gaol in manner & form herein after described, —
2 Rooms to be finished for criminals, 1 Room to be finished for Debtors,
on the North end of said Building, and on the lower floor to be finished
in the following manner viz. — The floor to be laid with two Inch oak
Plank to be pinned securely, the sides of the same & the Rooms to be
lined over head with one Inch oak plank, the Doors to be of 2 Inch
plank Double & spiked, the partitions to be of three Inch oak plank &
lined with one Inch oak Boards to be lapped or shamfered at the edges,
a wdndow in each of the Criminal Rooms two feet bj^ one square, suffi-
ciently secured by Iron Bars, a Window in the Debtors Room of twelve
lights, well secured by Iron Bars, the Doors to be well furnished with a
good Lock & Barr of Iron — The Hall to be laid with oak Boards
one & a half Inch thick well spiked & narrow Boards not over Ten
Inches — The Room on the South End for family ocupation for Jailor
to have the Floor laid with one & a half Inch oak or pine plank not over
Ten Inches wide to be well spiked — Also one sufficient Door leading
into the Hall from said Room — A good chimney on the south side
or end of said Room and a good fire place both below & above. Also
a comon partition between the South Room & the Hall. The foregoing
described work to be done by the first day of Jany. 1828, & tenders
for the same to be made for each part or the whole by 15th day of
Oct. next at which time the supervisors will meet & examine the same
& will be expected that all offered Tenders will name good and sufficient
Security for the performance of the same."
It will be noted that no provision is made for finishing the second
story for court room, and in fact it was not completed and a stairway
erected leading upstairs until 1830.
At an adjourned meeting of October 17th, the contract was given
to Charles Phillips and Daniel Stewart for $350. In the meantime the
legislative council had appropriated to assist in the completion of the
court house the sum of $150, and this was at once used on this contract.
Charles Phillips w-as probablj^ the junior Phillips, a capable car-
penter who bought land south of Pine river at corner of Fort street,
both east and west of Front street. His father, Charles Phillips. Sr.,
was a blacksmith, a very ingenious man, who devised several inventions
of merit, lived for a time at Marine City, and died at Algonac.
The value or the price of attorneys' service was growing, or the
amount of crime was increasing, as ]\Ir. Witherell was allowed $25
for his services at the October term of court.
January 21, 1828, the board formally declared the three north rooms
of the lower story of the court house to be the common jaol of the county
from that date, and postponed the completion of the court house under
the Phillips contract to July 15. 1828.
At the meeting of April 21, 1828, changes appeared in the personnel
of the board ; Amasa Heminger represented the township of Cottrell-
ville : Jeremiah Harrington, the township of Desmond ; and Everett
Beardsley, the township of Sinclair.
At the meeting of July 21, 1828, a new supervisor appeared and
took his seat: Harvey Stewart, the former county commissioner and
HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY 121
now supervisor of Clay township. It will be remembered that in 1827
it Avas generally assumed that the old township of Plainfield was incor-
porated into the township of Cottrellville. This does not seem legally,
however, to have been the fact. Undoubtedly the township of Plainfield
continued to exist, but with much diminished area, containing, however,
the village of Algouae and all of townships 2 north, ranges 15 and
16 east.
Plainfield Township Changed to Clay
"When the regular spring election of 1828 came on, Samuel Ward,
whose interests and inHuenee were considerable, and who had his slate
of township officers wliom he wanted elected, insisted that the men
from Algonac and the extreme lower end of the county had no right to
vote in Cottrellville. They were determined to be represented, and as
they were more numerous than Ward's men, they would have carried
the election if allowed to vote. In anticipation of the refusal, they pre-
pared a list of the township officers the^^ proposed to elect, and when
they were prevented from voting they returned to the office of John K.
Smith, held an election, and drew up a petition to the legislative council
to have a township established to be called Plainfield. The council did
not meet until INIay 5, and Mr. Bunce was no longer a member, his place
being taken by John Stockton, of Macomb county. Mr. Stockton pre-
sented the petition which was headed by John K. Smith on May 9 ; it
was immediately referred to the proper committee, and on May 20, it
passed the council, cutting off" from the township of Cottrellville, as
fixed by the act of 1827, the lower tier of townships. The next day the
action was reconsidered, and the name of the township changed from
Plainfield to Clay, presumably because there already was another town-
ship of Plainfield in Allegan county, and Henry Clay was a great polit-
ical favorite. The bill was approved by the governor May 27th, and
thus became law. In the act as passed and printed, the dividing line be-
tween the townships is made to run between Sections 23 and 33, which
is an impossibility. It is an evident mistake of 23 for 28. The act
legalized the election held in April, and thus Mr. Stewart became a
member of the board of supervisors.
At the October, 1828, session, one Lewis Austin appears prominently.
Charles Phillips is allowed $6 for making chain and other irons to secure
him as prisoner in the jail, and then is allowed the further sum of
$21.50 for his support for eighty-four days. This Austin is finally, the
next year, admitted to bail. By this time the price of wolf scalps has
risen to five dollars, and at the session of March 25, 1829, five are paid
for at that rate.
In October, 1829, Harvey Stewart again represents Clay township,
and George Cottrell, the former county commissioner, now represents
Cottrellville. William Gallagher, St. Clair township, and John Kennely
the township of Desmond.
William Gallagher lived in what is now the toAvnship of China and
operated the mills upon Belle river, where Radike's mill has now been
in operation for many years.
122 HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY
At this session E. W. Ewing was allowed $25 for services as prose-
cuting attorney by special appointment of the circuit court, and one-
fourth of one per cent taxes was ordered raised. At this time the town-
ship of Sinclair contained much more taxable property than any other
township, as is shown by its proportion of county tax, $107.87, while
Clay is compelled to raise only $59.75, Cottrellville $65.91, and Des-
mond $96.88.
In October, 1830, the same supervisors constituted the board ; they
voted one-half of one per cent tax, and allowed George A. O'Keefe $25
for services as district attorne}^ for each of the terms of the circuit
court held in July and October.
First Bridges Built
At the spring election in 1831 Harvey Stewart was elected super-
visor of Clay township, Amasa Hemminger of Cottrellville, Andrew
Westbrook, the former county commissioner, of St. Clair (Sinclair as
the name of a township never afterwards appears, although no legal
steps were taken to make the change), and John Kenell}' of Desmond,
and they constituted the board at a special session held May 9, 1831.
Up to this time there had been no bridges across Pine or Belle rivers
near their mouths connecting the main highwa.ys along St. Clair river,
the crossing being done b}^ small ferr^- boats which could carry passengers
and freight, horses and other animals being compelled to SAvim. The
growth of the population of the count}', which at this time was about
.1.200, necessitated an improvement and the board resolved: ''The
supervisors of the county of St. Clair hereby give notice that they will
receive proposals on Saturday, the 21st day of May, inst., at the house
of H. James for building a floating bridge across Pine river and like-
wise one across Belle river, of the following descriptions, viz: Five pine
stringers 12 inches by 18, hewed on two sides, covered with plank 18
feet long, 2 inches thick, with a swing at each of said bridges suitable
to let vessels pass, having 20 feet beam, with an apron at each end 10
feet long confined to the main bridge with iron hooks or snibills, the
whole to be confined with braces from the shore, which are to be con-
fined to each mud sill, 40 feet long at each end of said bridge. The
whole to be done by the first day of August next in a workmanlike man-
ner according to a plan to be seen bj^ calling on Dr. Amasa Hemenger,
or H. James. Good security will be required for the faithful perform-
ance of each contract, said bridges to have good substantial railings.
Paj^ment to be made as follows : $250 in an order on the treasurer
of the territory, equally divided according to the expense of building
said bridges, the remainder in count}^ orders. N. B. — The swinging part
of the aforesaid bridges shall shut onto the main bridges with a halving
or rabiting of six inches."
Recognizing the importance to the territory of improved communi-
cations, the legislative council had appropriated on February 25th, $250
for assisting in the construction of these bridges. .
The annual session of 1832 brought more changes in the board. Har-
vey Stewart again appears from Clay to\ATiship and John Kennelly from
HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY
123
Desmond, but Samuel Ward appears for the first time from Cottrellville,
and Edmund Carlton from St. Clair.
Ralph Wadhams
At the October session, 1834, Ralph "Wadhams appeared as super-
visor for Desmond township. JMr. Wadhams was born in Goshen, Conn.,
in 1798, and when about seven years old his parents moved to Livingston
county, N. Y., where he obtained his education and entered the store of
Nicholas Ayrault, who afterwards came to Port Huron as the agent of
the Huron Land Company. In 1823 he came west to Detroit and en-
Residence op Ralph Wadhams
(From an Old Painting.)
tered in business wnth one Reese as general merchants under the firm
name of Reese and Wadhams, occupying the first brick store in Detroit,
owned by Robert Smart. The firm later changed, the place of Reese
being taken by Henry Howard, who subsequently became state treasurer.
Through Smart, who, with Oliver ]\Iiller, Thomas Scott and John Biddle,
all of Detroit, was interested in pine lands in St. Clair county and who
built a mill on Black river at the point later known as Wadhams, he be-
came interested in the lumber enterprise and bought the mill, selling a
two-thirds interest to Howard and W. S. DeZeng of New York. He oper-
ated the mill for some time while he lived in Detroit, but in 1829 he moved
to where his mill was located and lived there during the rest of his life.
In 1832 DeZeng sold out to Howard and Wadhams, who continued to
lumber and manufacture, shipping some of the lumber by vessels which
came up Black river as far as the mill, and rafting some down the
river. The business met with losses and in 1835 the firm made an
assignment for the benefit of its creditors, but satisfactory arrangements
124 HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY
having been made with them during the following year the assignee
reconveyed the property to them.
The firm continued to purchase pine land, and to pay for this and
other purposes they gave a mortgage for $18,000 in 1838 to a New
York City banking and trust companj^; with a large indebtedness and
the hard times following the panic of 1837 the firm was again compelled
in 1839 to make an assignment. This time Mr. Wadhams' father came
to the rescue and in 1840 bought the interest of the firm in all the prop-
erty and in 1844 settled with the New York company by dividing the
property covered by the mortgage, and then conveyed his part to Ralph
Wadhams, who continued business for many .years. Mr. Wadhams built
a grist mill in 1830, the second one in the county, and was a very active
enterprising man in many ways. He was supervisor of Desmond town-
ship, and later of Clyde township for several j'ears, postmaster of Clyde
Mills postoffice from its establishment in 1835 to its discontinuance in
1872. He was delegate to the convention which framed the first state
constitution. During his later j^ears he devoted his time to farming
and the raising of fine cattle, of which he collected a notable herd. He
never married and died March 28, 1877.
Another supervisor was Edmond Carleton from the tO"s^Tiship of
St. Clair, who was born in Bath, N. H., in 1783. He married, in 1808,
Olive M. Barron, an aimt of W. B. Barron, long a merchant at St.
Clair, and came to St. Clair in 1831 and settled upon the place in the
township of St. Clair upon which he lived the greater part of the rest
of his life. He was supervisor of his township for three years and
associate judge of the countv court, elected in 1836 and re-elected in
1840. He died at Troy, Ohio, in 1872.
The session of the board held in jMarch, 1836, met at the court house,
but evidently the quarters there were not comfortable, as after organiz-
ing and electing Charles Kimball from Clay township chairman, they
adjourned to meet forthwith at the house of P. Leach, Avho kept the only
tavern then in the village, on the south side of Pine river.
It appears from the records of this session that Sargeant Heath filled
two important positions in the county, one that of jailer, for which he re-
ceived $71.62 and the other that of county treasurer.
At the same session it was declared expedient to appropriate money
for bridges, and $150 was appropriated to build a causeway across the
marsh from Louis Chartier's (near Algonac) to Swan creek, and the
sum of $70 to build a bridge across Pine river on the road leading from
the Hoxie road by Cox's to the Fort Gratiot turnpike. This was the
bridge across Pine river, on the so-called .state road, which crosses the
turnpike at Rattle Run and leads to the Hoxsie settlement later called
Romeo.
Six Supervisors in 1836
At the meeting in October. 1836, the members, after electing H. N.
Monson chairman, at once adjourned to the office of Horatio James, the
county clerk. At this time there were six supervisors from the to^^Ti-
ships of China, Clay, Clyde, Cottrellville, Desmond and St. Clair. Mr.
HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY 125
Monson, the chairman, was a native of Connecticut and had been consul
of the United States in the West Indies. He came to St. Clair in 1834
under contract with Thomas Palmer to join in the erection of a steam mill
upon St. Clair river which he operated until it was sold to Truesdail in
1841. He was elected judge of probate in 1838 and held the office four
years. He was for several years a director in and cashier of the Bank of
St. Clair, and was highly regarded by his fellow citizens. He died in
1852.
Cummings Sanborn, or Big Sanborn, as he was often called to dis-
tinguish him from James W. Sanborn, who came to the county about
the same time, was the supervisor from Desmond township. He was
born in New Hampshire in 1799 and came to this county in 1833. He
taught school for some months in each of his first three years here, and
in 1835 built a water power saw mill on Pine river in the township of
Kimball, and a store at Marysville. Three years later he sold the mill
and not long after moved his store to Port Huron, where he entered
into partnership with Martin S. Gillett, his nephew. He built a steam
saw mill at Port Huron and dealt largely in pine lands and products,
and accumulated what was a large fortune in those days before his
early death in 1852. He was fully six feet two inches in height, well
proportioned, an honorable public spirited and enterprising man, and a
good citizen. He was postmaster at Port Huron from 1846 to 1849 and
a member of the legislature in 1842. By his will he gave $500 to the
common school library of the township of Port Huron, and thus he be-
came in a real sense the father of the fine public library which the
city of Port Huron now possesses, and in commemoration of that gift
his portrait was presented to the library by his son in 1907.
The board at this session appropriated $150 to improve the highway
from the north line of the St. Bernard farm to Bunce's creek.
In 1837 L. M. Mason was district attorney and the board allowed
him $90 as salary, which shows a considerable increase from the early
salaries for that position.
At the October session of 1837 Z. W. Bunce was allowed $40 for four
years' services as associate judge. It is seldom that public officers are
content to wait as long as that for salaries. There were present at
this session nine supervisors from as many towns, Lexington, Columbus,
and Ira having been added.
Pine River Bridge at St. ClxVIr
Before this time it would seem that there was no stationary bridge
across Pine river at St. Clair, as a motion at this session to appropriate
$150 for that purpose was lost, but two years later a bridge was built by
Chamberlin and Ogden, costing $225. This meeting was the last of the
first board of supervisors. In 1838 the law was changed so that the
county affairs were again administered by a board of three commission-
ers, elected by the people at large, and the first board so elected consisted
of Zael Ward, Justin Rice and John S. Parker. Their first meeting for
business was held February 11, 1839. In 1839 John Howard took the
place of Justin Rice, whose term expired, and in 1841 Zael Ward was re-
126 HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY
placed by Chester Kimball, and in 1842 Oel Rix replaced John S. Parker.
In that year the law was again changed and a board of supervisors was
provided, consisting of the supervisors from all the to"\\'nships — in that
year thirteen — and that system of county management has continued
to the present.
Belle River Bridge at Newport
The commissioners in May, 1839, in addition to voting $200 to build
a bridge across Pine river at St. Clair, gave $200 to assist in building
a bridge across Belle river at Newport, and at the same session decided
to advertise for bids for the erection of two brick buildings, each 26 bj' 20
feet on the public square. One of these buildings was intended for the
county clerk and register, and the other for the judge of probate and
counts' treasurer. By the time the bids came in the commissioners felt
so uncertain about the taxes, owing to delay by the legislature in
adopting the necessary tax laws, that they decided to build but one build-
ing — that for the clerk and register — at a cost of $650. which was
erected near the southwest corner of the Court House block. The board
appropriated $100 to assist in building a bridge across Belle river at
Gallagher's mills in China.
One of the prominent objects of expenditure at this time was wolf
scalps, the bounty having risen to $8. In ^lay, 1840. Knawkechigame,
a Chippewa Indian from Saginaw, who had bought land in the to\^^l-
ship of Riley, obtained $16 for two scalps, and Obedig, who was re-
lated to Old IMother Rodd, produced evidence of killing a wolf and
received $8. Later in the same year Wasahcanahbe and Necick, both
Indians, \vere allowed each $8 dollars.
In March, 1841, a meeting of the commissioners could not be held,
owing to the fact that Chester Kimball, who lived in Ira township, and
John S. Parker, who lived in the township of Columbus, could not get te
St. Clair on account of the roads being impassable, and their meeting
was adjourned until IMaj^ 3rd. by John Howard, from Port Huron, who
was able to be on hand.
At the meeting in ]\Iay, True P. Tucker was allowed $50 for half a
year 's salary as district attorney, which indicated a rising scale in official
salaries, and in October, Edmund Carleton and David Cottrell, asso-
ciate justices in the county court, are allowed $16 and $18 respectively,
evidently for onl}" half a year.
Court House Improvements
At a session in September steps were taken to increase the size of
the court house by an addition of 6 feet on the south end, and the entire
upper story made into one room for a court room. The court house,
which was of logs, covered with clapboards, remained unchanged after
these improvements, until it was destroyed by fire in 1855. It was then
rebuilt of brick at a cost of $1,500 chiefly contributed by St. Clair citi-
zens under the leadership of Harmon Chamberlin, and dedicated in 1859.
A reference to the orders for jury service and official charges would seem
HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY 127
to indicate that it re(iuired a large part of the county's population to
fill the offices and perform jury duties.
"When the county, in 1842, entered upon the system of government
by board of supervisors, its records cease to have special interest, or to
differ except in amoimts involved from the records of today. The
eount.y by that time had acquired a population of over 5,000 and the
foundations of its political divisions and government were pretty well
laid.
CHAPTER X
IN THE EARLY DAYS
The House and House Raising — The Simple, Hospitable Life — St.
Clair County in 1820 — Assessment Roll for 1821 — St. Clair in
1821-1830— Early Port Huron— From 1830 to 1835— Early
Marine City.
It is difficult if not impossible for us of the present to adequately
realize the conditions under which the early settlers of the county lived.
The means of communication which we enjoy were entirely lacking.
Each family was necessarily almost absolutely independent economically
— it made its own living. The house was built of logs cut from the
trees which, from the pioneer's standpoint cumbered the ground. No
mills were at hand to saw the logs into lumber, but whatever shaping
and fitting was needed was done with the axe ; generally only the sides
of the logs were squared to make the house corners, Init occasionally an
ambitious pioneer Avould square the logs so that the outside and inside
of the house Avould present a finished appearance.
The House and House Raising
As the logs were collected, if the family in itself was not numerous
enough to raise them without assistance, the neighbors for miles around
were invited in to help and by combined effort the exterior walls were
built of logs laid one upon the other, to a height sufficient to make a
story Avith a loft above. Then came the roof, with poles for rafters,
and strips laid upon these on which were fastened the shooks or large
shingles split from the trunks of trees. The floors were made of thick
hewed planks and a ladder led to the loft. The cracks between the logs
were chinked with wedge shaped strips of wood and plastered with
clay. The chimney was made of such material as could be obtained,
brick if possible, stone if that could be found in the vicinity, and failing
in both of these, the chimney was built of sticks laid in and covered
with clay. This was at one end of the house, and within was a large
fireplace in which the cooking was done, and which to a large extent
furnished all the artificial light used in the family.
To start the fire in the morning was not then the simple expedient
of turning on the gas and touching a match. Matches did not exist
128
HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY 129
and fires were carefully guarded and kept, as it re(iuii'etl some time
and experience to start a new one, with carefully prepared material and
a steel and tlint, or a tinder box.
The Simple. Hospitable Life
The food was simple and adapted to the hearty outdoor life in which
the entire family was engaged. Enough land must be cleared to raise
some corn or grain, the meat supply would come from the forest, the
deer or bears, wild turkeys and other game, all abundant in the early
days, and no family was without the familiar "porker" to supply the
winter needs when game was scarce.
Most of the clothing was made at home, "homespun" wearing like
iron, unattractive to modern eyes, but admirably adapted to the needs
of the time.
Some things there were which could not be made and must be pro-
cured from the towns : salt, a prime necessity, powder and lead, flour —
it was not until 1828 that the first grist mill was built in this county,
upon Belle river — and such delicacies as tea and sugar, if had at all,
must be obtained by the exchange for something which the pioneer could
get, and in this county in the early days that something was generally
the skins of wild animals, which were plentiful.
If sickness came, the homely remedies known to all were tried, and
if the patient did not soon recover there was always within reaching
distance some good woman of experience and kindness who would gladly
go many miles to help a neighbor. If nature was not too much inter-
fered with, the patient generally recovered, and for the most part the
pioneers were a sturdy, active, strong, out-of-doors folk, entirely ignorant
of many of our modern diseases. True, in ^lichigan, with its numerous
swamps and mosquitoes, there was fever and ague, which everyone was
supposed to have, and which was inevitable, as it was due — as then
thought — to the breaking up of new ground. The connection between
malaria and mosquitoes was not then guessed at.
The law of nature, the survival of the fittest, was in full operation,
not impeded by our modern ideas of learned physicians, germs and
hospitals, and the survivors were those who were most able to cope
with all the difficulties of a simple but strenuous life.
Doctors were either scarce or non-existent, the demand for them
was small, and their patrons widely scattered. Dr. Harmon Chamberlin
came to the county about 1820. a young physician, well prepared, and
after spending a few months near the future Algonae, at that time
the most populous section of the county, went the following year to the
county seat. Although he was for a time the only physician in the
county, in order to keep himself occupied, he was compelled to turn his
hand to a number of different vocations, acting as county clerk, sheriff
repairing the court house, lumbei'ing, erecting and operating saw mills,
besides other minor avocations.
Even when the houses became numerous and close enough to form a
settlement, conditions were not much different ; the roads were still
little better than trails, impassable with wagons during much of the
Vol. I—
130 HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY
year ; streams were uubridged ; in consequence most of the land travel
was on horseback.
Wolves were numerous, especially in the winter, and so dangerous
an enemy to the pioneers, lioth in respect to luiman beings and to
domestic animals, that a considerable bounty was i^aid by the public
authorities for their scalps. In 1834 $110. or one-sixth of the entire tax
levy, was paid for wolf scalps.
Owing perhaps to the fewness of the people and the lack of public
accommodations, there was a warmth of hospitality which does not exist
in modem conditions. Strangers were welcomed, and treated \vitli the
utmost kindness. It is told of Judge Bunce that on one occasion a party
coming from Detroit reached his house after dark, and mistakenly
thinking it a ta\crn. went in. were heartily welcomed, and stayed all
night. In the morning when they ottered to pay. they first learned
their mistake, and the .iudge, in his courtly manner, assured tlicin that
their visit had brought him great pleasure.
Captain John Clark, of East China, was long renowned for his hos-
pitalit}^ to friends and strangers, as were many other of the pioneer
families.
St. Clair County in 1820
In 1920 St. Clair county can celebrate its centennial, and the near-
ness of that event brings to mind the great changes which have taken
place within the century. When the county was set oft' in 1820 it
probabh^ did not contain, exclusive of Indians. 300 inhabitants. AVith
the exception of the few engaged at the ^lorass mill, in Clyde township,
all the remaining people were on or near the St. Clair river. The most
northern residents were the soldiers at Fort Gratiot. A few Frenchmen
and their families were along Black river, near the mouth, mostly on
the upper side ; on the lower side were Anselm Petit and Pierre Brinda-
mour. A few miles further down was Z. W. Bunce and his small com-
munity of helpers. From there to St. Bernard's was practically an
unbroken forest, with some evidences of former clearing and the remains
of a small water mill on what is now the Carleton place.
At St. Clair Fulton had done some clearing and built two houses
north of Pine river. South of Pine river Old Fort Sinclair gave evi-
dence of its existence, but from that point down to the Westbrook and
Ricard (Recor) farms, there was nothing but primeval forest. Just
below Belle river there was a settlement of French, the Yax. Petit and
Duchene families. Then came the Cottrell, Thorn and Brown settle-
ment, and a short distance above Algonac the Harrow settlement, which
was the last upon what is now termed the river proper. Around on the
North channel was a small collection of families, mostlj^ French, and
another on the north shore of Lake St. Clair. These, with the few upon
Stromness and Harsen's Islands, completed the population of the county.
Everything was new and rough and rude. Roads there were none
except the great waterway. There was no unsatisfied desire to get near
to nature. Nature, with its wildness of animals and verdure, was press-
ing too close for satisfaction or even safety. A community of civilized
^e
HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY 131
people aeeustonied lo the wants of soeiety caiinol l<»iig live upon what
unaided nature supplies. Hunting and fishing furnish only the most
precarious and doubtful existence, as the experience of the Indians proves.
The prolileins which met the newly organized county -were serious,
but not ('ouij)lex. A fair proportion of the population was American
or British in descent, accustomed to self government, and to the general
system of administering laws. Roads must be made and kept in repair
so that interconuuunication would be possible and easy. Courts and
I)eaee officers uuist be provided so that law and order might prevail
and the weak be protected from the aggression of the strong. Domestic
animals were a necessity and must be protected from the most dangerous
forest enemies, the wolves. For a few years the solution of these prob-
lems, simple but important, covered all the official work. At first it was
difficult for the governor to find enough competent men to fill all the
offices. JNIost of the French were entirely uneducated, and though keen-
witted and shrewd, eould speak English very little, if at all. and of
course could not read or write it.
Thus we see the reason why Judge Bunce, J. K. Smith, and several
others filled several offices at the same time ; not that they were so much
more capable than modern men, but the supply of official timber was
very suuill.
Assessment Roll for 1821
There has very fortunately been preserved the record of the first
assessment roll of the county made in 1821. Under the law of that time
there was but one roll for all the taxpayers in the county, and it is so
important from many viewpoints that we reproduce it entire :
X nines.
1 Hezekiah Adams
2 .Joseph Bazenett
3 Aloses BirdsaH 9
4 Lambert Beautaien 16
5 William Brown 30
G John Brown 30
7 Joseph Bourdenau 30
8 Lovin Blanchard 30
9 Z. W. Bunce 30
10 Francois Chortier 55
11 John Cartwright 9
12 James Cartwright 9
13 Louis Chortier 9
14 Joseph Chortier 9
15 John Cottrell 8
16 David Cottrell 20
17 George Cottrell 12
18 Henry Cottrell 28
19 Francois Chortier, Jr
20 Louis Casehand
21 Laba Canipau
22 Peter Dupre
23 Francois Dechene
24 William Duvall
25 J. B. Diehard
26 John Elliott
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132
HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY
Names.
27 John Elliott, Jr
28 John S. Fish
29 John Flynn
30 N. Frederick
31 F. Fleurer
32 James Fulton
33 Jacob Guy
34 Joseph Gear
35 Est. of Alexander Harrow
36 William Hill
37 Bavid Hill
38 Francis Harsen
39 "William Harsen
40 Jacob Harsen
41 Robert Hamilton
42 Phillip Jarvis
43 Jaques Leeson
44 George I^ittle
45 Charles Larned
46 ]Mariann iNIinnie
47 Ira Marks
48 Josepli Minnie
49 Angus McDonnall
50 Silas Miller
51 Archibald McDonnell . . .
52 David Meldrum
53 Park & Meldrum
54 Pascal Podvant
55 Joseph Pennock
56 Anselm Petit
57 James Robertson
58 Thomas Robertson
59 Sarah Robertson
60 David Robertson
€1 John Robertson
€2 Etien Russell
€3 Peter Rice
' €4 Oliver Ricard
65 John K. Smith
66 Richard Sansbury
67 Henry Saunders
68 Louis St. Bernard
69 Seth Taft
70 William Thorn
71 John Thorn
72 Louis Thebault
73 Vanwagenan & .Jersey.
74 Romulus Van Wagenan
75 James B. Wolverton . . .
76 Samuel Ward
77 Andrew Wesbrook
78 Jean B. Yax
79 Harvey Stewart
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In addition to the property named and v
"\S"illiam Bro'wn, .John Elliott and Joseph Minnie
clock: T\'illiam Brown. D. Cottrell, F. Harsen
Andrew Wesbrook, each a cariole: William B
Stewart, each a wagon; J. S. Fish, Samuel War
watch; F. Chortier, David, George and Henry
alued in above list. L. Beaubien.
were each assessed for a wooden
Mariann Minnie. TS'. Thorn and
rown, Samuel Ward and Harvey
d and A. "V^'esbrook. each a silver
Cottrell. Mariann Minnie, Joseph
Minnie, O. Rickard. William Thorn and A. Wesbrook, a cart each.
There were seventy-nine persons assessed upon this roll, of whom
seventy-tive were probably residents, as they are assessed for either im-
proved land or personal property. Four are assessed for wild lands alone,
and one for improved land alone, forty-two for personal property, and
one man is assessed for a house and personal property, but no land.
It is evident, however, from a knowledge of the situation with an
inspection of the roll that the assessors were rather careless in their
HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY 133
assessments, and entirely omitted from the roll a cotisidrrahlc amount
of wild land, and proba])ly some improved land as well.
No. 1 — Hezekiah Adams owned two cows, but no othei- property;
he evidently was employed by some property holder, and l(>ft the county
prior to 1830, as he does not appear in the census of that year. In
1822 he was drawn on the petit jury.
No. 2 — Joseph Bazenett, or Bassinet, or Basney, as the family is
now called, was the owner of Private Claim No. 301, containintr 120
acres, and it must have had some improvements, as it was testitied in
1808 that he had been in possession before 1796. This claim was sold
to Henry Ainsworth in 1821 and has remained in his family to the
present.
No. 3 — Moses Birdsall occupied Claim No. 252, 190 acres, by virtue
of his being the husband of Alice AA^right, one of the heirs of John
Wright, in whose name the land was patented.
No. 4 — Lambert Beanbien in 1819 had acquired part of Claim 204
which contained 325 acres, and as he is assessed but 120 acres, the
balance, if assessed at all, is to Joseph Alini.
No. 5 — AVilliam Brown was the son of Airs. John AVright (No. 3)
by her first husband, Darius Brown, and purchased the Daunay Claim
No. 308, which contained 120 acres, and was one of the largest tax-
payers. He married Alartha Thorn in 1806 and came to the county to
live in 1816.
No. 6 — John Brown was a resident of Clay township at the census
of 1830 and in 1824 subscribed $5 in grain to assist in getting the
county seat away from St. Clair.
No. 7 — Joseph Bourdenau was a son-inJaw of J. B. Yax, who located
in 1818 that part of section 12 lying west of Belle river, now part of
Alarine City. In 1822 he sold his interest in the land and probably
moved away, as he was not in the county at the census of 1830.
No. 8 — Lovin Blanchard. His location cannot now ])e identitied.
He appears as a voter in 1821 and in the following year is a member of
the first grand .iury drawn in the county, but is not a resident in 1830.
No. 9 — Z. AV. Bunce owned land in sections 28 and 29, township 6
north, range 17 east, considerably more than 101 acres, and his total
assessment of $304 is certainly modest enough. Judge Bunce was long
a prominent man in county affairs.
No. 10 — Francois Chortier was granted Claim No. ^iO!) of 120 acres
and apparently had bought the Ignace Champagne Claim No. 198 of
140 acres, as in July. 1822, he conveyed both claims to his children.
His assessment shows two houses, and a total valuation whicli made him
the fifth largest taxpayer.
Nos. 11, 12 — John and James Cartwright owned Claim Xo. 318. con-
taining 240 acres, but were assessed for 249 acres.
Nos. 13, 14 — Louis and Joseph Chortier. assessed 129 acres each,
were sons of Francis Chortier. In 1822 Louis was a nu^mber of the first
grand jury, and in 1825 lie was granted a license to operate a ferry
over Belle river.
Nos. 15, 16, 17, 18 — John, David, George and Ileni'v Cottrell were
the surviving sons of the original Geoi'ge Cottrell, who bought this land
134 HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY
from the Indians in 1780 and moved npon it in 1784: and had died in
1817. He had received grant to Chiim No. 186 of 320 acres and his five
sons (one of Avhom had died before 1821) received grant of Claim No.
187 of 430 acres. It will be noticed that they are assessed for four houses.
The fcons had made a division among themselves, and not long after John
Cottrell sold out and removed to Macomb county. The other three were
officeholders and prominent men for many years.
Nos. 19, 20 — Francois Chortier. Jr., and Louis Casehand had no
land, but were fairly well provided with personal property.
No. 21 — Laba Campau. who is assessed for 120 acres of wild land,
is undoubtedly Barnabas Campau. of Detroit, who was nicknamed L'Abbe
from his appearance, and who was a man of large property and means.
The laud assessed to him was probably Claim No. 311 on the north shore
of Lake St. Clair.
No. 22 — Peter Dupre lived as a tenant upon land in Cottrellville,
was a blacksmith and married a daughter of old ]\Iother Rodd, the
Indian woman well known to all the pioneers of the county. He quali-
fied as a voter in 1823 and was a resident of Cottrellville in the census
of 1830.
Nos. 23. 24. 25, 26. 27— No one of these had any land, but
all had some kind of stock. Dechene or Duchene probably lived near
the month of Belle river, on the west side, in the French settlement there.
Nothing is known about Duvall or the Elliotts. J. B. Diehard is prol)-
ably Deschamps, a Frenchman, who lived for some years near Black
river, and at other times in Clay township.
Nos. 28, 29, 30 — John S. Fish in 1827 was one of the first county su-
pervisors and was quite active in 1824 in assisting Samuel Ward in liis
attempt to remove the county seat down the river from St. Clair. John
Flynn was a resident of Cottrellville. according to the census of 1830.
N. Frederick cannot now be identified.
No. 31 — F. Fleurer is said to have been a .son of the French soldier.
Louis de Fleury, who came over from France and took an active and
honorable part in the War of the Revolution, and returning to France
was beheaded in 1794 during the French Revolution. Francis Fleury
was a soldier in the American army during the "War of 1812, and came
to Cottrellville township in 1821, living there until his death in 1846.
No. 32 — James Fulton. His assessment includes Claims 304 and
305, 1.280 acres, upon which there were fifty acres of cleared land for
the town plat of St. Clair, and the two houses built by him were upon
the west side of Front street, north of Pine river.
Nos. 33, 34 — Jacob Guy and Joseph Gear owned only personal prop-
erty. The latter married Jeannette ]\lini. daughter of Antoine ]\Iini, who
received patent to Claim No. 204. and whose heirs had sold to Lambert
Beaubien. Neither was a resident, according to the census of 1830,
but Guy was a defendant in county court in January, 1827.
No. 35 — Estate of Alex Harrow, 1,280 acres, Avhich probably includes
Claims 188 and 200 for 640 acres each, which made this assessment the
third largest on the roll. Harrow was long in the British naval depart-
ment on the lakes and moved on this land about 1794.
HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY 135
Nos. 36. 37 — William and David Hill together owned Ciaiiu No. 196,
as sons and heirs of Jacob Hill.
Nos. 38, 39, 40— Francis, William and Jacob Ilarsen. They all
owned land on Harsen's island, but as they had not had their claims
perfected at this time they were not assessed for real estate.
Nos. 41, 42, 43, 44 — Nothing is known of Hamilton, unless the Robert
is an error for Reuben, who came to the county in 1821 and lived for
several years in St. Clair, and about 1829 moved to Port Huron, where
he lived until his death, and was well known as a justice of the peace.
It is likely Jarvis is properly Jervais, Leeson is sometimes spelled Lozen,
and he was the father of Captain J. B. Lozen, of JNIarine City. Both
Gervais and Lozon lived in the Belle river settlement. Little left the
country before the census of 1830 and was living in Canada.
No. 45 — Charles Larned was a well known lawyer who lived in Detroit
and owned Claim 306, which was afterwards owned by Agens and Ham-
mill for manv vears, and is now mainly within the limits of St. Clair
No. 46 — ]\Iariann jMini was the widow of Pierre ]\lini, and this
assessment includes Claims 202. 203 and 206.
No. 47 — Ira Marks lived in the township of Clay at this time and
was also a resident in 1830. He came to the county in 1818, and subse-
ciuently acquired real estate, and it is said the township of Ira was
named for him. It is also said that he brought the first wagon into
the coimty.
No. 48 — Joseph Minnie, one of the sons of Pierre IMini, and the
father of Joseph P. Minnie, for many years a prominent resident of
Port Huron. This assessment probably covers Claim 204.
No. 49 — Angus McDonald was a resident of Stronniess Island. His
daughter married John K. Smith.
Nos. 50, 51 — Silas IMiller lived just below Algonac, having come to
the county about 1820. Nothing is known of Archibald McDonnell.
No. 52 — David Meldrum lived in Macomb county, but owned Claim
307, which lies just west of St. Clair city on both sides of the State road.
No. 53 — Park and IMeldrum. merchants of Sandwich, Ontario, owned
Claims 255 and 406, lying on St. Clair river, near ]\Tarysville.
No. 54 — Pascal Podvant, or Potvin, married Catharine, the Avidow
of Toussaint Chovin, who had received patent to Claim 245 of 120 acres
and was assessed for her land.
No. 55 — Joseph Pennock owned but a small amount of personal
property and probably removed later to IMacomb county, but returned to
this county in 1832 and bought land in East China township.
No. 56 — Anselm Petite had not at this date received a patent for
his land, but he owned and occupied that part of fractional section 11
lying south of Black river at the junction with St. Clair river, and
which was afterwards platted as the village of Peru, now a part of the
city of Port Huron.
No. 57 — James Robertson owned and occupied Claim 568.
Nos. 58, 59, 60, 61 — Thomas, Sarah, David and John Robertson were
children of James.
136 HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY
No. 62 — Etien Russell, or Rousselle. lived in the township of Cottrell-
ville in 1830. near the site of Marine City.
No. 63 — Peter Rice is assessed with six acres of improved land and a
house. He was a member of the first grand .jury in the county in Jan-
uary, 1822, voted at the election for delegate in 1823. and in 1826
furnished fuel for the court house to the amount of 75 cents.
No. 64 — Oliver Rieard (Recor in its modern form) owned and occu-
pied Claim 310.
No. 65 — John K. Smith, who later became and was for many years
the most prominent citizen of Algonae. had not at this time acquired the
dignity of a land owner.
No. 66 — Richard Sansbury lived on the south side of Black river
about three miles above its mouth. He was a Virginian and a soldier
in the Fort Gratiot garrison until his company was disbanded in 1818.
No. 67 — Henry Saunders was a negro, who had been owned by
Meldrum and Park, and who was given by them tlie life use of Claim
No. 496 of 300 acres, which they owned. It is evident from the amount
of stock he owned that he Avas in a prosperous condition.
No. 68 — Louis St. Bernard lived a short distance noi-th of St. Clair
City upon land which he owned but had not at this time received patent
for. He came from across the river in Canada.
No. 69 — Seth Taft owned no real estate, but tlie following year be-
came an ofifiee bolder, being appointed constable by the governor.
No. 70 — AVilliam Thorn owned Claim 253 and was the father of
John Thorn and several other children : Nancy, wife of James Geel ;
Martha, wife of "William Brown; Jane, wife of Abraham Cook, of De-
troit; Harriet, wife of James Fulton. Alice, daughter of John Coinior
of Macoml) county; Elizal)eth, who entered three times into the bonds
of matrimony ; and another son, "William.
No. 71 — John Thorn, son of "William, is assessed with one house, one
horse and two oxen, but no real estate. He lived for some years in
St. Clair, but moved to Port Huron about 1831.
No. 72 — Louis Thebault married the widow of Joseph Rieard, who
had received patent to Claim 302 for 140 acres.
Nos. 73. 74 — Van Wagenan and Jersey. Romulus Van "Wagenan.
Nothing is known of either of these parties.
No. 75 — James B. "Wolverton lived for many years in the township
of China. He was appointed a constable before St. Clair county was
organized and was also sheriff for a few months in 1821 and 1822.
No. 76 — Samuel "Ward, who afterwards became prominent and
wealthy at ^Marine City, was at this time living on land owned by him
in section 1, but probalily had not then received his patent and thus
escaped taxation except on personal property.
No. 77 — Andrew "\A"estbrook, the wealthiest man in the county, owned
Claims, 243 and 303, besides a very considerable amount of personal
property. Andrew "Westbrook was possessed of the largest amount of
household furniture — $130 — and the only taxpayer approaching him in
that line was AVilliam Brown. A\ith $100 in amount.
]Sro. 78 — Jean B. Yax lived at the French settlement on Belle river.
HISTORY OV ST. CLAIR COUNTY 137
No. 79 — Harvey Stcwjirt had iiiarried Mary (jravd'arl. a grand-
daughter of Jacob Harsen, and lived on Tlarsen's Island.
There were in the whole county only 106 hoi-scs. with 10!) oxen and
185 cows. There were six carioles or covered carts, three wagons and
nine two-wheeled carts.
That the assessors did not use all the diligence possible in listing
property for taxation is shown by the fact that six land claims aggi'rgat-
ing over 2,000 aci-es seem to have t'scaped entii'cly. I'xMli assessors lived
in the lower end of the county, and probably did nol come up to Black
river, or they would have found the Bonhomme and Lasselle claims of
640 acres each, and the Sibley land, now Butler plat, but they p(M'haps
should not be blamed for not making the physical cft'oil to row them-
selves — there were then lu) roads along the river — t\v(Mity miles agaiust
the current for the small amount of property to be I'onnd ;il tlic end of
the trip.
At the time of the assessment of 1821 there was but one township
in the county, liut by 1880 this had been increased to four: Clay,
Cottrellville, St. Clair and Desmond. The population had increased to
1,114, which included the officers and company of sixty-six men at
Fort (iratiot, eighty in all. When the census was taken, the township
of St. Clair included the present townships of St. Clair and China : in
that territory there were eight persons assessed in 1821, of whom two
were non-residents. In 1880 there were tifty-five resident taxpayers, and
twenty-six non-resident. The total property valuation of the eight per-
sons assessed in 1821 was $10,847, while the total assessment in 1880
was $41,648.
St. Clair in 1821-1830
A considerable change took place in the county between the years
1821 and 1830. In the county north of St. Clair there were but two or
possibly three people assessed in 1821. while the census of 1830 contains
the names of fifty-two heads of families, exclusive of the ot^cers and
soldiers at Fort Gratiot in the same district, and we know the census
omitted some names. In the county south of East China township, there
was less change. I^pon the assessment roll of 1821 in that part there
were sixty-seven names, while the census of Clay and Cottrellville town-
ships in 1830 showed but seventy-eight families. In St. Clair township
the population increased but slowly for the first few years after the
county was organized. Thomas Palmer and D. C. IMcKinstry. who came
into possession of the town site at St. Clair in 1824, began the next
year to advertise the advantages of their location. In addition to the
two Fulton claims of 640 aci-es each. Thonuis Palmei* had bought the
David iMeldrum tract. No. 307, of 640 acres and in the spring of 1825
appeared in the Detroit Gazette their oflfer for sale of the 1.920 acres.
They stated that the seat of justice was located upon this land and that
a court house and jail Avere then building. AVhite fish and trout were
abundant in the river, ami the place was twelve miles from Fort Gra-
tiot where a light house was to be erected that summer.
Among the fii'st to respond to this alhiring invitation was ^lark Hop-
138 HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY
kins, the first postmaster at St. Clair, appointed in February. 1826,
who came from Berkshire count}'. >\Iassachusetts, to New York state in
1806. and arrived in the county seat from New York in Novemher. 1825.
and thus was one of the earliest immigrants to this county from the state
which was to furnish so large a part of the population subsequently. If
Mr. Hopkins expected to find much evidence of the county seat, his dis-
appointment must have been great. There were three houses within the
present limits of St. Clair, two built by James Fulton, and one of which
— the one on lot 43. later knoAMi as the ]\Ionson or Stein house — J\Ir.
Hopkins and his family, consisting of his wife. Tacy L., and seven chil-
dren, occupied until the death of ]\Ir. Hopkins in the fall of 1828. There
was also a log house on the west side of Second street, north of the
present Republican office, built and occupied by Reuben Hamilton. In
the period of four years intervening between the coming of ]\Iark Hop-
kins and his death, the rate of growth in tlie population was quite re-
markable.
At the end of 1824 the popuhition consisted of two families, Hamil-
ton and Fulton, the latter occupying the other or first Fulton house stand-
ing on lot 40, and to which a small addition had lieen l)uilt for use as the
county jail, and in addition young Dr. ("haml)crlin and John ^1. AVilson
who had been sent up from Detroit by Thomas Palmer to carry out the
Fulton contract of building a court house and also to ])uil(l a store for
Palni'^r on the east side of Front street, north of Pine river. In the follow-
ing year, 1825, a considerable increase was made in the connunnity as
there Avere added Everett Beardsley oi- Deacon Beardsley, as he was
commonly called, and who built a house on tlie river bank just east of the
present Hopkins houses: Charles Phillips, the inventive blacksmith
who built a house on the south side of Pine river; John Thorn, the brother-
in-lav,- of Fulton: George Palmer, the brother of Thomas Palmer, the pro-
prietor of the new city : Daniel Furguson. who established a ]>rick yard.
By the end of 1830, several other families had come and settled in the
new town which was at that time called Palmer. Among them was Hora-
tio James Avith his large and poi>ular family of boys and girls. One of
the girls. Elizabeth, married John Thorn. Harriet nuirried Samuel AV.
Hamilton, son of Reuben Hamilton, who came to St. Clair in 1821 and
moved to the Fort Gratiot light house in 1829. Another daughter,
Amanda, married Ira Porter, the laAx^'er. who later moved to Illinois
and prospered, and Marilda married Dr. John S. Heath. John F. Bas-
sett, Avho built just around the first bend of Pine river, and who brought
up in virtual adoption John Canan ; Asa Partridge. Avho came to St.
Clair from IMacomb county in 1827. and died the same year, and Avhose
Avidov; Dr. Harmon Chamberlin married in 1830 ; Levi Barber, Avho built
a house on the north bank of Pine river, and for whom the road leading
from his house nortliAvard to the state road, or Clinton avenue was called
Barber's Lane.
Thomas Chittenden Fay, who is entitled to the credit of establish-
ing the first ncAvspaper in St. Clair county, Avas a strange, eccentric
man Avho came to St. Clair in 1829. He Avas born in Bennington. Ver-
mont, and having learned the art of printing, established, in 1811, a
ncAA'spaper called the Lynx in Onondaga county, Ncav York, AA-hich he
HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY . 139
iiianaged for about two years, ;iiul during this time lie iiad as .ippreu-
tiee, Thurlow AVeed, then a boy of 14. He was a man of rather viok^nt
temper, and in September, 1812, after a quarrel with his associates, he
left them and his family and never returned there. The ne.xt known
of him is in Georgetown, South Carolina, where, in 1827, he married
Mary J. Broderick, and not long afterward went to St. Clair, probably
expecting it as the coiuity seat to be a desirable location. He bought
several parcels of property for his wife and her mother, Jane Crosby.
and in 1830, his family came to St. Clair. He returned south in 1833 and
in 1834 shipped to St. Claii- as a payment on his land purchases, a pi'inting
])r(\ss and outtit with which the *S7. Clair WJdfj was issued in the latter
part of the same year, Mr. Thomas M. Perry being the printer and pub-
lisher. A feW' years later he died without returning to St. Clair.
James Ogden lived in the township of St. Clair and had a saw mill
several miles up Pine river, and later became a partner in the lumbei-ing
and saw mill 'Ousiness at St. Clair with Dr. Harmon Chamberlin, until
they sold out to Wesley Truesdail in 1852.
Jerauld Miller, who moved to Port Huron in 183(). ;ind latei- to
Lexington, was a resident in 1830.
]Mrs. Ruby Cox, with her family of five sons and thi-ee daughters,
one of whom married Jacob INIiller, one David Vance, and one Charles
Kimball, came in 1830.
Jonathan Burnham. in default of other residence available, occui)ied
the court house in tlie winter of 1829-30 as a dwelling.
Thus in 1830 there were fourteen families resident in the village.
J\Iark Hopkins, having died in 1828, his w^dow, Tacy L., continued to live
there with her children ; his son, Samuel F. Hopkins, had nuirried and
after living for a time in East China township, had returned to St. Clair.
In the meantime Reuben Hamilton had moved to Fort Gratiot light
house. At this time the county officers were: Chief justice of the
county court. John K. Smith ; associate judges, David Oakes and Lewis
J. Brakeman ; Henry Cottrell. sheriff; Plarmon Chamberlin, county
clerk; John K. Smith, judge of probate; John Thorn, register of probate.
The census of 1830, which was taken by James II. Cook, omitted sev-
eral well known residents of the county. Thus it did not include either
John Thorn or his father. William Thorn, David Oakes. George McDou-
gall, Peter F. Brakeman, Isaac Pulcifer, all of the Brandimores, Caus-
leys, and Laforges. and probably a number of others.
Early Port Huron
After Fort St. Joseph had ceased to exist, nearly a century passed
before the site of Port Huron was again occupied. The establishment
of the French fort at Detroit and the slow growth of the settlement there
did away with the necessity or desirability of any other settlement in
this vicinity. The transfer of the country from the French to the
British brought about a somewhat different policy, although for
twenty-nine years after that event, the fort of Sinclair was the only
evidence upon St. Clair river of the white man's ])re.sence. Even at
that time there were few of any other nationality than French in this
section. When the census of Detroit was taken in 1782. out of 321
names returned, only forty-seven are other than French.
140 HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY
It was about this time that the earliest permanent settlers came to
the site of Port Huron, Pierre Brinclamour. or in the modern spelling.
Brandiniore. Denis Caslet. or modernized. Causley. were the first or
among the first. Antoine ^Morass in 1786 came to the locality and
either built or took over a mill on what is now Bunce's creek, and within
a few years after went up on the south side of Black river a short dis-
tance above the Graiid Trunk railroad bridge and built another mill on
what was then called Gorse creek. He seems to have been the first man
of capital, and the first employer. Before 1800 there had come to Black
river, then known as River a Delude, or Du L'Hut, (from the famous
French officer and voyager, who established in 1686 at the foot of Lake
Huron the fort which was called variously Fort St. Joseph and Fort
Duluth) a number of Frenchmen who built for themselves small shanties
and lived by hunting and fishing. ]\Iost or all of them came from Mon-
treal, and free from all restraints of goveriuiient. lived the simple life.
Among those who are known to have lived here during that i)eriod
are Pierre Bonhomme, or Burnham, as the Americans generally ealled
him. who worked for Antoine ]\Iorass. and who l)ought. in 179o. from
Pierre Brindamour the laiul on the sduili side of l?]acl< river generall>'
known as the Cam])au Tract.
Pierre Lovielle. in 1702. took possession of the land upon whicli Foi't
Gratiot was afterwards built, and occupied it until 170!). when he
sold to Bonhonnne. Alexander Beauvier. probably tlic same jier.son
sometimes called Alexis Bouvier. was in occujiation of Ibc land just
north of Black river, near its mouth.
In 1796 Jean Baptiste Deschamps was in the vicinity. Fraiu-ois
Bonhomme was here as early as 1794 and occupied what is now a part
of the ]\lcXiel tract. In February. 1797, Capt. Alex Harrow, who was
then living on his place, which he called Newburgh. a short distance
above Algonac. wrote to a ]Mr. Bellear at Riviere Delud. or Black river,
asking him to tell Louis Baby to cut him several pieces of cedar. This,
of course, indicates the presence of those two men at tluit time in this
vicinity.
There seems to be tradition that in 1790 seven Frenchmen. Anselm
Petit, Francois Leviere, or Lariviere. Baptiste Levais, Duchien. ]\Iichel
Jervais. or Gervais. Coarneais and ]\Ioreaux. arrived at Black river, but
this is rendered doubtful by the fact that the only one who furnishes
record evidence of presence here is Anselm Petit, a native of Quebec,
who came to Detroit a young man and in 1804 married Angelique Cam-
pan, a daughter of Simon Campau. It is probable that he had come to
this locality before that time and brought his bride here, and
several of their children were born here. It has been said that their
son, Edward, who was born February 7. 1812. and who lived to be a
prominent citizen of Port Huron, was the first white child born wutliin
its limits, but this is probably a mistake. The late Mrs. James Brandi-
niore, who was a ]\Iiss Causely, was born here in 1802, and Jean Baptiste
Deschamps, who came from La Prairie near IMontreal about 1790, mar-
ried here the widow of one Lavere, and they had a son born here in
1805. This same Deschamps was living on the north side of Black river
east of w^here Seventh street bridge is located in 1824, as in that year a
HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY 141
^Ir. N'ideto, ;i I'liited Stales surveyor, on his way lu Sanilac and Huron
counties to survey the puhlic lands, eanie up from St. Clair with two
ponies carrying his outfit. The road was little better than a trail; there
was no bridge across Hlack river, but Mr. Videto saw a building upon
the north side, halloed loiully. and a man came over with a canoe and
carried him over, swimming the horses. This man proved to be Des-
champs and Mr. Yideto stayed with him all night. As Jean B. Desroyer,
who at that time owned a part of the land which subsequently became
the military reservation, had a ferry license from the county' court to
operate a ferry across Black river near its mouth, it is probable that
Deschamps was employed by Desroyer.
Anselm Petit was something of a dealer and fur trader and some of
the Frenchmen whose names are preserved may have been employed by
him occasionally. When Deschamps came up the river in 1790 from
Detroit, he found a saw mill in operation on Bunce creek and stopped
there for a while. He is afterwards foiuid at Black river, later on a
claim of Meldruiu and Park opposite Stag Island, in 1824, at Port
Huron, and in 1830 he removed to Goderich, Ontario, where he died.
The possession of most of these early Frenchmen was fugitive and
slight. Anselm Petit built a house near the east end of Court street
and made a clearing, Morass and Bonhonune had small clearings, but on
the whole they made but slight impression. ]Most or all of them could
not read or write, and thus were ignorant of the fact that under the law
passed by congress in 1807. such of them as had taken actual possession
of any land prior to July 1, 1796, would be entitled to receive without
charge a government patent for any amount desired up to 640 acres.
A few claims were presented and allowed, several others were equally
entitled.
In 1803 C. Jouett, the Indian agent at Detroit, made an examina-
tion of the conditions along Lake and River St. Clair and reported upon
occupancies and claims, but he does not appear to have come as far
north as Black river, and in his report makes no reference to any occu-
pancies above Pine river.
The first action on the part of the government in this vicinity was
the surveying by Aaron Greely, United States surveyor of private
claims of the lines of the Indian reservation on the south side of Black
river. Provision for this had been made in 1807 in the treaty with the
Indians, but it was not until 1810 that it was actually carried out.
The east line of this reservation began at Black river a few rods east
of ]Military street and ran in a southwesterly direction to a point a little
south of Griswold street, just west of Sixteenth street. During the
same year the Bonhomme and Lasselle claims, comprising the McNiel
tract, w^ere surveyed.
So far as known, this locality and its few inhabitants remained un-
disturbed from that time luitil 1814 when the officers and men appeared
to construct Fort Gratiot. They made no inquiry, and probably cared
nothing for private rights, ancl in fact the fort was built upon land
which in equity belonged to Pierre Bonhomme. and to which he became
legally entitled.
In 1817 the survey of the township in which Port Huron lies was
142 HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY
completed, but the public land did not become subject to entry and sale
until the following j'ear. At that time ]\Ir. Solomon Sibley of Detroit,
took up all the land that he could get north of Black river, and lying
between it and St. Clair river. What he obtained subsequently became
Butler's plat. The land contained in Thorn's ])lat was in an uncertain
position, being claimed by the heir of one Racine by right of occupaney
under the United States law. This matter was not entirely straightened
out until 1836. South of Black river the land situaticm also was not
promising. The Indian reservation covered the hmd which subse([uently
became the fourth and sixth wards of Port Huron and a part of the
second ward. Anselm Petit was in possession of the land lying north
of Griswold street and east of Fourth, claiming it under rights of occu-
panc3% although he subsequently purchased from the government.
Joseph AVatson, at one time secretary of the territory, took up the hmd
Ijnng between Petit and the Indian reservation, and tlie way was clear
to make a city.
While the settlement at St. Clair was slowly growing so that in
1830 there were only fourteen families, containing 102 pei'sons. in the
community, it Avas still the largest in the county. In 1824 Samuel Ward
tried to get the county seat removed from St. Clair to his property at
Belle river, upon which Newport was afterwards located, but it was
not until after 1840 that enough i)opuIation existed at Port Huron to in-
duce its most zealous partisan to believe that it should become the county
seat.
In 1821 nmch the largest part of the present city was occu])ied by
two reservations, one the .Military reservation attached to Fort (Iratiot,
extending from St. Clair river to Black river, bounded on the south by
Suffern street, and on the north by State street extended through.
This reservation had not been legally made at that time, but the gov-
ernment was in possession. The other was the Indian i-eservation on
the south side of Black river, and included all west of a line starting a
little east of Military street l)ridge and running in a southwesterly
direction. The only resident of J^ort Huron found upon the assessment
roll of 1821 was Anselm Petit, although there were luidoubtedly a few
French families occupying shanties, but having no land interests.
In 1825 the light house was built, which brought to the locality
the keeper and his assistant, and the same year. James II. Cook came as
representative of Thomas S. Knapp, who built a store and trading
house on the north bank of Black river. Henry Germaine, who mar-
ried Marie Germaine, daughter and sole heir of Jean Baptiste Racine.
(the original claimant of the land included in Thorn's Plat) occupied a
small house east of Cook, but moved over to Canada before 1830. In
October, 1828, Jonathan Burtch arrived, and taking the Deschamps
building, then unoccupied, he filled it up and used it as a store, and the
following year he built a new frame building, the first one in the settle-
ment. These were near but north of River street and west of Huron
avenue. Burtch was preceded by Louis Facer, who Avas a resident of
the county as early as 1825. came in 1827 and occupied the store house
built by Cook, remaining until 1832, when he moved to Lakeport. In
HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY ]43
1828 Reiihcii llainiltoii c;niu' up from St. Clair and moved iiilo 1lie
dwelling attaehed to the lighthouse.
In 1830 Edward Sales, who bought, in 1831. an interest in the Butler
plat property, moved in, so that in the census of 1830 there were in
the community on both sides of Black river, about eight families and
fifty people of all ages and sexes.
From 1830 to 1835
Port Huron was not in 1830 as populous as St. (Mali-, in fact there
was no settlement large enough to warrant a name. John Riley, the In-
dian half-breed, lived in the northeast corner of the Indian reservation,
near the southwest corner of IMilitary and Water streets. Anselm
Petit lived on his land east of Fourth street, and not far from the ])res-
ent Grand Trunk freight station. Michael L. Kerley had brought from
Detroit the frame of a store building Avhich he erected in 1828 (m Black
river adjacent to the Indian reserve line, or a short distance east of the
St. Clair County Savings Bank, at which point he built a wharf. Pierre
Brandimore occupied a building on the Itank of the St. Clair river not
far from ^Miller's coal dock. These were all the buildings south of
IrJlack river. On the north side, Louis Facer occupied the building put
up by Thomas S. Knapp in 1825, a short distance east of what is now
Huron avenue. The Fort Gratiot turnpike was not yet built and there
was no bridge across Black river. Jonathan Burtch occupied a log
building between River and Butler streets, west of Huron avenue. James
H. Cook lived east of the Facer place. George INIcDougall was the
keeper of the light house and lived in the dwelling attached, as did
also Reuben Hamilton, who assisted in the care of the light. Jean B.
Desroyers lived on the ^lilitary reservation, and Edward Sales, who
owned an interest in the tract which became the Butler plat, lived
somewhere upon it, probably not far from Burtcli. These, in addition
to the garrison at the fort, comprising in all about eighty men, and a
few French families along Black river, were all the inhabitants of what
is now Port Huron, in 1830.
The next six years saw a rapid change. The military road was com-
pleted from Detroit to Fort Gratiot. South of Black river it followed the
crest of the hill so that from the railroad bridge north it was some rods
east of the present Military street; north of Black river it ran up what is
now Huron avenue to the bank of St. Clair river, and then along the
bank to the fort. The small canoe ferry gave way to the l)ridge. The
Black River Steam mill was l)uilt west of Seventh street l)ridge. and near
it, and within the five acres belonging to the Steam M\\\ Company, were
a boarding house and four or five small dwelling houses. Burtch had
built a wharf and store house west of Military street bridge and aftei"
occupying it for about two years, sold it out to Daniel B. Ilarringttm.
Porter and Powers built a hotel building, painted white, at about the
corner of Butler street and Huron avenue on the west side. Peltier and
Doran had a store house and wharf east of IMilitary street bi-idge. J. W.
Campfield had a shoe shop about half way between the l)ridge and the
saw mill. Westl)rook had a house on INIilitarv street south of the rail-
U4 HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY
road bridge, and the old browu school house was built. Iii 1834 another
hotel was built a short distance north of C^uay street on the east side
of Huron avenue, and also one on the west side of Huron avenue, on
the site now occupied by the Central block.
In the spring of 1835 Joseph B. Comstock, who had been in the
general store business with D. B. Harrington iu 1832-3 at Hersey's INIills
on Stony creek in Oakland county, came to Port Huron and went in
business with his brother, Alfred, in the Kerley building and wharf, and
rented from Isaac Halstead the tavern which he had built on the north
side of the river east of Huron avenue, or as Butler plat had not then been
laid out, the street is referred to as the turnpike leading from Detroit
to Fort Gratiot. This property had about an acre of land connected with
it used for garden purposes, and the tavern was painted white. Probably
painted buildings were not common, as the conveyances of that time
identify the property l)y reference to the wliite building. The follow-
ing year the Comstocks moved across Black river and bought the Peltier
and Doran wharf and store, tiie latter being painted red. In their store-
keeping accounts the item of whiskey is a common charge and as the
price was only 50 cents per gallon, most people were able to indulge.
Powder sold for the same price per pound that whiskey did per gallon,
eggs sold at 19 cents per dozen, sugar and pork one shilling per pound,
butter 20 cents per pound, potatoes were high, one dollar per bushel,
Hour six dollars per barrel; shingles formed a considerable item of com-
merce ; being easily made by hand they were brought to Desmond, as
the settlement was then called, and shipped to Detroit on the steamboat
Gen. Gratiot, which came up in lilack river to the wharves near the
bridge. The current price for the shingles was $1.50 per thousand, and
this was the chief source of ready mone\-. The small scale on which
business was conducted is of interest. The Comstocks often borrowed
small amoimts from their friends or customers, and again appear as
lenders. "When it Mas desired to send a draft east to pay for goods, it
was necessary to send the currency to Detroit and there purchase a draft
on New York or Boston. In 1843 Rev. Dr. Nash records in his diary
his attempts to get back nails which several of his neighbors had bor-
rowed from him.
Early Marine City
That part of IMarine City in section 1, lying between Belle river and
St. Clair river and north of Bridge street, was purchased in 1818 by
Samuel "Ward and Father Gabriel Richard, the Catholic priest of De-
troit, who was at one time the territorial delegate in congress from Mich-
igan, and who was an energetic public spirited man. It is not known
how it came about that the two men unitecl in this purchase, as Mr. Ward
did not belong to the Catholic faith, but they did not long omti the
land in common. Father Richard conveying, in 1824, his interest to Mr.
Ward, who also bought the small fractional section 6 lying directly east.
That part of the same section 1. which lies west of Belle river,
was the location of the French settlement, which included the Yax, Du-
chene, and a few other families. It was bought in September, 1818, by
IILSTOJJV OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY 145
Jean Baptiste Yax mitler tlie part payment plan, and liis interest was
afterwards assigned to John R. Williams, a merchant of Detroit, who ob-
tained a patent for the land in 1823.
Directly south of the Yax land on the west of Helle river and along
St. Clair river was section 12, which was bought by Basil Petit in Oc-
tober, 1818, upon the installment plan, and later, upon full payment,
])atented to his heirs.
The property known as Catholic Point also lies in section 12 and
was purchased in June, 1824, by Father Richard in trust for the Roman
Catholic inhabitants of the parish of Saint Agatha. The title to this
property has never been conveyed from the church, although a large
part of it was occupied for many years by the Marine City Stave Com-
pany, and it was upon this property that the first well to the salt rock
was put down under the auspices of Mr. Crocket ]\IcP]lroy, president
of that company.
Although this property was bought for the Catholic church, no
church building was erected upon it until 1849, and the church and
parish at that time ])ear the name of the Holy Cross. In 1826 land
was obtained for a Catholic church less than 2 miles away in private
claim 187, the church to be called St. Felicity. This church, probably
the first church edifice in the county, Mas built and after a few years de-
stroyed by the land upon which it stood being washed away by the river
before the Holy Cross church was Imilt.
In the assessment of 1821 appear the names of at least five of the
French settlement, including Yax, Jarvis, Bourdenau, Duchene, and
Leeson, but none of these except Yax appear to have had any land
interest. Although at this time the owner of a large part of what is
now Marine City, Samuel Ward was not assessed for any real estate.
By 1830 the population of the future city had not greatly increased.
Sanuiel Ward's unsuccessful attempt in 1824 to remove the county seat
had not brought any addition to his own settlement, and James H.
Cook, the census taker, found three Chortier families on the west side
of Belle river. Dr. Amasa Heminger, Bela Knapp, Etienne Rousselle, or
Russell, three Yax families, Samuel Ward, and David Lockwood, with-
in the present limits of JMarine City. It was not until 1836, two years
after the first village plat was made by Ward, that j^eople from outside
began to come in, ancl a community to be formed.
The first method of crossing Belle river was by ferry, James R. Wol-
verton having been licensed by the county court in January, 1822, for
that purpose. In 1825 the license was granted to Louis Chortier. In 1831
a floating bridge was built across Belle river, probably on the section
line as in 1834, when the plat of Newport was made the street on the
section line running from St. Clair to Belle river was named Bridge
street.
Although the plat of Newport was made in 1834 the time was not
quite ripe for influx of population, Imt in 1836 Erick JM. Segar. Henry G.
Folger, James H. Tallman, John P. Phillips and Timothy Ingraham
started the movement by the purchase of a large part of the village plat.
Folger the following year built a saw^ mill near the upper end of the
town, and as has been stated elsewhere, the speculation of the purchase
Vol. I— 10
146 HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY
proved a losing one. James H. Tallman at about the same time was en-
gaged in a similar enterprise in tlie to"\\Ti site of Belvedere, near the
month of Clinton river in ]Maeomb county, which likewise proved a
losing venture.
The efforts made to make known the advantages of the place resulted
in bringing a considerable population between 1836 and 1840. One of
the early comers of the new town was ]Marcus H. Miles, who in 1836
bought property and moved in. a young man of 23. He early showed
ability in obtaining office, becoming postmaster in June, 1837, and hold-
ing the position until January, 1839, when he moved to St. Clair. Dur-
ing his life he held many offices and filled them capably and satisfac-
torily.
Others coming the same year or soon thereafter were Gen. Duthan
Northup, who. after the collapse of the land speculation, went to
Port Huron in 1838 ; Charles and Solomon Gardner. James Robertson, a
son of the Robertson who as one of the earliest residents along the river
had received patent to private claim 568.
In 1829 Seth Taft, who was a resident of the county as early as
]821, bought property from Samuel Ward, and the same or the follow-
ing year undertook the operation of a tannery built by Ward just north
of Broadway on St. Clair river, and continued it for about two years
when it closed down.
In 1832 Eber B. Ward came to the settlement and the building of
boats. Avhich Samuel Ward had begun as early as 1820, went on with
increasing rapidity, some of them on St. Clair river, but more on Belle
river.
In 1837 Curtis Bellows, Avho became postmaster when M. 11. !Miles
moved to St. Clair, II. A. Caswell. Daniel Wilkins, John P. Phillips,
Lydia Thorn, who later married Doctor Ilemonger. David Fish, and
George W^. Buddington, all bought property in the village. Some of
these did not remain long, as the only industry Avas the building of
boats.
By 1840, however, several more families had moved into the new-
settlement, Robert R. McNiff. Amasa Rust. John and Reuben Warner,
Peter Dumas, Dr. Orange B. Reed. Selden A. Jones, who was postmaster
from 1841 to 1846, and later moved to Port Huron, Zael AVard, a brother
of Samuel, Jonas C. Brigham, Jacob L. Wolverton. Avho was for many
years the chief designer of the Ward boats, very skillful and successful.
There were a fcAV other families but the entire community was dominated
by the personality of Samuel Ward, who, during his lifetime, could not
brook opposition to his plans or Avishes.
Early Algonac
That part of Algonac living Avithin section 11 Avas purchased in 1818
by Dr. Edward Purcell, Avho Avas stationed for a time in 1816 at Fort
Gratiot in the capacity of surgeon 's mate, as he Avas then termed, or post
surgeon. Upon the assessment roll of 1821 the only tax payers living in
what is noAT Algonac AA-ere Silas ]\Iiller. Ira Marks, and Angus JMcDonald,
although none of these is credited Avith OAvning any real estate. In
HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY 147
1826 Ira Marks and Ebenezer Westbrook bought land in section 10 and
the latter later took a very active part in the building of the first ]\Ieth-
odist Episcopal church at Algonac — the first Protestant church building
in the county — doing most of the collecting of the svibscriptions and do-
nating the land for the site. When the census of 1830 was taken there
was as yet no evidence of a future town and it was not until 1836 the
village plat was made, chiefly bought from Silas Miller and Ebenezer
Westbrook, that there began to be a local community. Dan Daniels
and Joel Tucker, who had a saw mill and a general store, came in that
year, followed by Horace Beers, Michael Jackson, J. L. and A. G. Peer,
Weaver Stewart, Charles Phillips. Charles L. Poole, James Burt, Samuel
Russell, George Jasperson. P. F. Brakeman, and they, with a few othoi-s,
started the village on its career.
CHAPTER XI
REMINISCENCES OF THREE PIONEERS
Indians Appear with Scalps — Threaten to Kill Family — How a
Woman Traveled — Nancy Brown Becomes Mrs. Brakeman —
Cholera at Fort Gratiot — Port Huron in 1836 — Churches and
Schools — Indian IMedicine Dance and Feast — St. Clair in 1830 —
Lucy Cox ^Tarries Mr. Vance — Capt. Andrew Westbrook — The
St. Clair Region in 1815 — The Cottrells — John K. Smith — Dr.
Harmon Chamberlain — Judge Bunce and Capt. Ainsworth —
Jacob Peer — Jacob Kendall — The Harsens — The Wards — Law-
yer O'Keefe — The Old County Seat — Pioneer Steamboats —
Incidents of War op 1812 — First Visiting IMinister — I^kiton vs.
Yankee — Another Indian Story — The Harsens Again.
By Mrs. yancy Brakonaii
I am the second daughter of Captain William Brown and ^Martha
Thorn, and a grand-daughter of Captain William Thorn, who was a
native of Providence, R. I., and an early settler on the River St. Clair
at Cottrellville. who died at Port Huron. 1842. In my family there
were nine children, four sons and five daughters, and I was the third
child, a native of the town of ^loore. Kent county. Tapper Canada. l)orn
January 17th. 181L Both my father and mother were of Scotch and
English descent, and natives of Detroit.
'c:^'
Indians Appear with Scalps
My father was born in 1784, and my mother in 1786. They were
married in Cottrellville January, 1806, to which place my grandfather
Thorn had moved his family shortly after my mother was born. Some
time during that year they moved across the river to Canada and pur-
chased land of the Indians, and settled on what is l\no\^Ti as the Suther-
land place, nearly opposite what is now St. Clair cit.y. There they
found some verv warm friends among the Indians in that vicinity, and
some very hostile, during the War of 1812. I remember hearing my
mother relate a circumstance that happened at that time. My father
had gone away to drive his cattle far back in the w^oods to secrete them
from the Indians : during his absence a number of Indians came into
our house with thirteen scalps hung on a pole, some were graj^-haired,
148
HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY 149
and some were the soft fair hair of infants. JMy mot her was at the
barn and saw them enter Ihc liouse; she scareely knew what to do, but
thought she must try and protect her four eliildren, the youngest a
babe in the cradle, who became James I). Brown, ^larine City. As she
went in they shook the scalps at her, sajnng "These are your fathers,
mothers, brothers and sisters," meaning they were American scalps.
One of the Indians asked her if she was afraid. She i-eplied, "No, I
am not afraid of any of you." She could speak tlu;ir language. He
then said, "Give us something to eat." She told them to be quiet and
she would. They did so. and she provided them with food, and they
left in peace, but she felt it was a very narrow escape; no doubt they
respected her courage, and they were always glad to meet with a person
speaking their language.
At the time the Indians came in with scalps, they took from a cup-
board several bottles containing medicine for the children, such as
essence of peppermint, paregoric, etc., and poured the contents on the
fioor, saying, "These are bad medicine, you have to poison the Indians."
Threaten to Kill Family
I also very distinctly remember seeing my father hide the cooking
utensils under the door-steps, and bury a small wooden box containing
money at the foot of an apple tree for safety from the Indians. On
one occasion they had two yoke of oxen, tw'o cows, three hogs, and four
sheep killed in one day by five hundred Indian warriors, on their return
after their defeat by Major Croghan at Sandusky. They suffered num-
erous depredations of this kind until the hostility of the Indians cul-
minated in a determination at council to kill my father and his family,
because they thought him to be too much of a Che-mook-ke-mon, or Big
Knife (American). However, an old Indian friend of his came at night
and acquainted him with the result of the council, and the fact that six
Indians had been deputed to come the next afternoon to massacre the
family. This friend urged him not to tell the Indians who had reported
this, "For," said he, "they will kill me if you do." My father was a
very courageous man. and equal to the emergency ; he prepared for their
arrival, and they came just as he had been told, armed with tomahawks
and scalping knives ; he let them all in the house, and passed them
chairs upon which to sit down. He then took his gun in one hand,
tomahawk and butcher knife in the other and said to them, "I Imow
why you have come ; you have come to kill me and my family. ' ' The
chief inquired, "Who told you so?" Father replied, "The Great Spirit
came in the form of a little bird and told me all you were going to do.
But," said he, "the first man that raises his knife or tomahawk is a
dead man, I can kill the whole of you before you leave the house." This
act of bravery had its desired effect. The Indian respects courage in
friend or foe. "Well," said the chief, "give us a sheep and a hog and
we will go and have a feast and be friends forever." He told them
to take them, Avhich they did, and had a grand time, and left the family
unmolested.
They remained there about nine years, until 1814, the j^ear General
150 HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY
Proctor issued his proclamation requiring all settlers to take the oath of
allegienee to the laws of Great Britain or leave the country. Accord-
ingly my father removed with his family to Detroit, leaving at night
in a large row boat with mutfied oars. At Detroit he was employed by
the United States government to assist in building a stockade fort.
"While there was sent by General Butler, then commander of the post
of Detroit, with fort}' men. to drive sixty head of fat cattle around Lake
St. Clair to Fort Gratiot, as the troops there were in need of provisions,
and this he did very successfully and was greatly praised for it.
In 1816, father purchased land in Cottrellville and removed his
family there, and was one of the first settlers on the river in this county
after the war. ]\ly parents and all the family spoke the Indian and
French languages. I learned English, French and Indian at the same
time. After the famih' settled in Cottrellville, father traded with the
French and Indians for a long term of years, and employed both Indians
and Frenchmen to assist him in his work on his farm. In an early day
the family were acquainted with about every French and Indian family
on the river, and others at Detroit and Mt. Clemens. I well remember
seeing Judge Z. W. Bunce, in 1817. at my grandfather's, William Thorn,
when he first came on the river, and again in 1827, when he brought
his bride to this county. The}^ Avere guests at my father's for several
daj^s. Also I distinctly remember seeing the late ]\Iark Hopkins, Sr..
father of the late Samuel F. Hopkins, when he first came to this county.
He was also a guest at my father's for some time. I spent the winter
of 1827-1828 in the family of my uncle, the late James Fulton, Esq., at
the county seat, now St. Clair city. He built the first jail in St. Clair
county, which I well remember seeing; it was l)uilt of logs. I Avas well
acquainted Avith i\Ir. Charles Phillips, the blacksmith Avho made the
lock for the door. His children Avere my schoolmates. I Avas also ac-
quainted Avith the first prisoner Avho Avas confined in the jail, and all his
family, who Avere A^erA' respectable and settled on the river in a very
early day. He boarded Avith me eighteen months after my marriage
with Mr. Brakeman. My uncle Fulton Avas sheriff Avhen St. Clair and
Macomb counties Avere one.
How A Woman Traveled
The mode of tra\'eling in this section in an early day Avas, in the
summer, in sailboats, French batteaux. and canoes: in the A\nnter, in
earioles and French trains. I made visits in an early day to St. Clair,
Mt. Clemens and Detroit. My family had a large circle of relatives and
acquaintances at these places at that time. Occasionally I meet with
an old Indian or French friend, and ahvaA's use their language w^hen
visiting Avith them.
At one time my aunt Fulton and I Avent from St. Clair to Mt.
Clemens in a canoe Avith one man to paddle, to take home a yomig lady
cousin AAdio had been Ansiting them. Another time my father and I
went from our home to Detroit all the Avaj' on the ice in a cariole; we
started before sunrise and arrived in Detroit early in the evening. At
one time I Avent to Detroit in company Avith my cousin, the late Thomas
HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY 151
S. Knapp, an early resident of Detroit, in a boat carrying lumber; made
a visit, and returned in company witii my uncle, Abram Cook, father
of Mrs. John Owen, of Detroit. We took passage in a large skiff with
Dr. Harmon C-hamberlain and ]\Iark Hopkins, Sr. The first day we
went as far as Grosse Point and were detained there over night and all
the next day by head wind, staying at Knoxson 's hotel. The third day
there was not much wind and Messrs. Chamberlain and Hopkins rowed
and my uncle steered the boat. They missed the right channel and we
were obliged to stay overnight on an uninhal)ited island. I and my
uncle slept in the skiff with the sail arranged for an awning ; JNIessrs.
Chamberlain and Hopkins slept on shore with an umbrella over them.
I remember it was a beautiful moonlight night. The morning of the
fourth day they rowed two or three hours when we arrived at Harsen's
Island, where we took breakfast and were hospitably entertained at Cap-
tain Bassett's. Mrs. Bassett was an English lady who died at Saginaw
a few years since. We arrived home that day, and INIessrs. Chamber-
lain and Hopkins went on to St. Clair.
At one time I rode on horseback in companj^ with Thomas Palmer,
father of Senator Palmer, from my home to St. Clair, a distance of ten
miles, in one hour and twenty minutes. There was no bridge over Pine
river at that time. My uncle Fulton kept the ferry, which was a skiff.
When we arrived at the river the boat was on the opposite shore. W^e
called and waited for someone to ferry us across. When they came they
put our saddles in the boat and rowed us across while we sat and held
our horses by the bridles and swam them over.
INIany more visits might be mentioned but these will suffice to give
an idea of traveling in this section of the country in an early day.
There was no steamboat then on the Port Huron and Detroit route. I
distinctly remember seeing Governor Cass and family taking a pleasure
ride on the Detroit river in a birch-bark canoe rowed by Frenchmen,
who would sing their French songs as they plied the oars. When I was
quite a small girl he came up from Detroit in a birch canoe with ten
Frenchmen, five on each side of the boat, rowing and singing. He
landed at my father's, the men sat on the river bank and ate their corn
soup, which they brought with them, and the governor was entertained
at the house. He was on his way up the lakes.
Nancy Brown Becomes Mrs. Brakeman
My first home after my marriage with Mr. Brakeman, in 1832, was
one and a half miles north of Point du Chene, now Algonac. We were
united in marriage by John K. Smith, Esq., an early settler on the
river, an intimate friend of Mr. Brakeman 's then and during his life.
Mr. Brakeman was then engaged in the mercantile business and also
carried on an extensive trade with the French and Indians. He learned
then the Indian language so he could converse with them quite fluently,
and was a great friend and favorite of theirs. They were very frequent
visitors at our house, and never left hungry or cold. ]\Iy husband had
three Indian names; the first given him was Nee-win-ah-skee-zhick-ah-
neeteh-kee-nah-see, four-eyed man's friend, from the fact that he clerked
152 HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY
for jMessrs. P. F. Verhoeff & Compciny. and ^Ir. Yerhoeff wore glasses.
so they called him four-eyed man. and ]\lr. Brakeman was his friend.
The second name they gave him was Ah-tong-gan 
