Colebrook Township

Colebrook Township

This township was originally attached to Trumbull county, is now No. 8 of the third range, and was purchased of the Connecticut land company, by Henry Champion et al., on the 5th day of September, in the year 1798. August 8 of the year following, Mr. Champion conveyed his interest in the township to Oliver Phelps. In the year 1808 the sixteen thousand acres of land embraced within the present limits of the township were surveyed into lots one-half mile square, beginning at the northwest corner and running east to township line, then west, etc., until the entire one hundred lots were surveyed. Samuel Phillips, an ex-soldier of the Revolution and afterwards a resident of the township, was a member of this surveying-party.

The surface of the township is generally flat in its eastern and western portions and slightly rolliug in the central part. Numerous small streams have their beginning in the township, and empty - those flowing easterly, into Mosquito creek, the course of which is through the eastern part of the township, and those westerly into Rock creek, near the western line of the township.

First Settlements

The first white family who attempted to establish a home in the dense forest fastnesses of Colebrook were by name West, who located on the east side of Mosquito creek, on the present Stroud farm. This was in, probably, the year 1812. Comparatively nothing is known of the history connected with this family, except that they cleared about eight acres of ground, abandoned the same, and removed from the township long before the first permanent settlement. The pioneer permanent settler was Joel Blakeslee, who emigrated from Avon, Genesee county, New York, in the year 1819. Mr. Blakeslee, with a family consisting of wife and two children, made the trip, which was of twenty-nine days' duration, with a team of oxen. Commencing the journey with a sled, but soon finding bare ground, he procured a wagon, with which he continued his travels. Arriving at last at the Mecca of his pilgrimage, he, with the aid of kind friends, erected a log cabin on lot No. 38, and took possession of the same on the 24th day of May, 1819. Mr. Blakeslee was a gentleman of education and refinement, and something of a musician. Being of delicate health, he was ill adapted to endure the toils and hardships incident to the life of a pioneer. He will be remembered as having taken a lively interest in the Historical Association of this county, and, in fact, wrote up many of the townships of the county. Some of his writings are still preserved by the association, but a very large portion was destroyed at the burning of the court-house, August 17, 1850. He was a zealous member of the Masonic fraternity until his death, which occurred on November 27, 1863, and his funeral obsequies were performed by the members of that order. The children of Mr. Blakeslee, nearly all of whom yet reside in this township, were as follows: Phebe, who married James Williams; Harriet, married Lorenzo Sanders (deceased) ; Samuel, married Elizabeth Delano ; Nancy, married Sylvester Perrin ; J. Adams, married Lucinda Gladding ; Lemuel, married Mary Cook (all the foregoing reside in this township) ; and Mary, who married William Adicott, and resides in Orwell. The next settler was Halsey Phillips, from Colebrook, Connecticut, who with a wife and four children, and accompanied by two brothers, - Samuel, Jr., and Benjamin F., - arrived at Austinburg in the fall of 1820. Leaving his family with his wife's sister (Mrs. Joseph B. Cowles), they repaired to this township, and soon, by the aid of the settlers in Lebanon (now New Lyme), erected a log house, - this was on lot No. 22 ; was completed in the early part of November, when the family "moved in." The children of Halsey Phillips were Delinda, who married Edward C. Beckwith, and now resides in this township ; Lucinda, married Ezra Beckwith, also lives in Colebrook ; Martha, married William Foreman (deceased); Jeremiah II., married Sarah Congdon, died in the army ; John H., married Fanny Beckwith, lives about a mile from the " old farm Maria and Ralph, both died young. The winter following, Samuel Phillips married Miss Hannah Woodruff, of Morgan, and began life in this township, on lot No. 21. In the fall of 1821, Roswell Stillman, who afterwards became a resident of Andover, arrived in this township, and began life on lot No. 23. He was accompanied by the wife and three daughters of Samuel Phillips, Sr., who had made the journey from Connecticut the previous spring, and had, during the summer, erected a log house on lot No. 21, into which, though yet unfinished, the family moved. Setting to work, the house was soon finished, with puncheon floor, deer-greased paper windows, etc. The children of this gentleman were Travis A., who married Grace Chapel (deceased) ; Fanny, married Samuel Emmett, also dead ; Halsey, married Sally Hungerford, and now residing near the original location; Harriet, married Eri Tuttle, lives in this township; Samuel, married Harriet Woodworth (deceased) ; Calista, married Nathan Allen (also deceased) ; Cleora, married Asahel Canfield, now residing in Bloomfield, Trumbull county ; Benjamin F., married Emeline Beckwith, at present residing near Dodgeville, in New Lyme (to this gentleman our thanks are due for many items of early history) ; Amelia, married Daniel Loomis (deceased). Cutler, from Vermont, located on lot No. 39 in August, 1821. His family consisted of a wife only, and as he remained in the township but a few years we are unable to obtain further particulars. In 1824, Francis Drake located on lot No. 42. Medad Canfield, from Trumbull county, settled on lot No. 41 about this time. The next settlers were Theodoras Miller, Frederic Jones, Levi Rice, and doubtless others, whose names do not occur to us.

The First School-House

was erected in the year 1822. It was built of logs, of small dimensions, and stood near where is now located the cemetery at Watson's corners. Miss Cleora Phillips taught the first school in the township, in the summer of the same year the house was built. The total number of pupils enrolled was six. Miss Phillips received for her services one dollar per week, she, of course, boarding herself. The payment of her wages was made in wheat, worth then fifty cents per bushel. Calico at this time was worth seventy-five cents per yard. The summer of 1823 Mrs. Halsey Phillips taught the school for the same compensation as that paid the previous summer. The first sermon delivered in the township was in November, 1820, at the house of Joel Blakeslee, by the Rev. Ephraim T. Woodruff, pastor of the Wayne and Williamsfield church. The next sermon of which we have record was in the year 1821, by the Rev. Giles H. Cowles, of Austinburg. This meeting was held in the house of Halsey Phillips. The members of three families constituted the congregation. Of the other divines who preached to our little pioneer settlement we find the names of Rollin, Dunn, Dodge, Marks, Morse, Cheeney, Cram, and others. The first organization of a church occurred in 1831, perfected by the Rev. Cowles, of former mention, and was of the Congregational order. The members of this class numbered eighteen; were from this township, New Lyme, and Orwell. A Methodist church was formed soon after, and has now a membership of one hundred and fifty. Halsey Phillips and family united with this church on its organization, and Mr. Phillips is still a member of the same class. Present pastor, Rev. G. G. Waters. July 14, 1836, a Baptist church was formed, with a membership of twenty. Their first resident minister was Michael W. Webster, who supplied the church until 1840, when he was succeeded by S. S. Carter. The present pastor is C. H. Johnson. The Free-Will Baptist church was formed March 24, 1849, by Rufus Clark and David Rice, ministers of that denomination; the membership was fourteen. Present pastor, T. H. Drake. Of the church edifices owned by the different denominations we will simply say they are fine and well appointed.

The first Sabbath-school was in the barn of Isaac L. Jayne, in the year 1832. Joel Blakeslee was the first superintendent. Each church has now a fine Sabbathschool.

The First Post-Office

This was established in January, 1826, and the mails were distributed from the residence of the postmaster, Halsey Phillips, - Joel Blakeslee second postmaster. The following are his successors: Isaac L. Jayne, A. R. Beckwic-k, H. Wilcox, S. Carter, S. R. Beckwith, M. W. Powell, M. O. Jayne, B. F. Phillips, M. McArtha, J. J. Peck, and Jerome Way, present incumbent. The office is located at his store.

Road Record

In the office of the county auditor we find that in the month of December, 1827, a road was established " From the southwest corner of Joel Blakeslee's land; thence running southerly to the south line of said township to where it intersects; the centre road in the township of Green, Trumbull county." June, 1831 : "From a point at the centre of a highway in Wayne at the east line of Colebrook, half a mile from the southeast corner of said township ; thence west to a highway leading by the house of Joel Owens." Same date : " From the south line of the township, where the centre north and south road in Green intersects said line; thence northerly till it intersects an east and west road about one mile from the south line of said township." March, 1832 : " From a point in the highway leading by Ira Kce's westerly to the State road." June, 1836: " From the turnpike on the south line of S. W. Foreman's land to the west line of the township."

The first saw-mill was built by Ira Kee at an early day ; it was located in the southeast corner of the township, on a small stream emptying into Mosquito creek. The first steam saw-mill was erected at the Centre, in the year 1848, by Halsey aud John H. Phillips. This mill is now owned by Charles Pease, who has added a planing-mill. There is another steam saw-mill and shingle-manufactory in the southwest part of the township. This is owned by Cheeney & "Webb. There have been at different times two small mills established in the township for grinding corn and coarse feed ; both have been long since abandoned, however.

The First Hotel

was opened at the Centre, by Isaac L. Jayne, in the year 1830. This building stood near the present residence of IV. II. Lancaster. The present hotel is kept by H. Wilcox, and is located also at the Centre.

The First Store

David Chase, from New York, brought on the first stock of goods, and " opened" up the same in a small log house at the Centre, in the year 1836. He next built what is now occupied as a residence by Jerome Way. Samuel Foreman was the successor of Mr. Chase. The present stores are Jerome Way and T. J. Taylor, who keep a general stock, and William Rogers, grocer. These are at the Centre, and Joseph Norton on Centre road, south.

The first marriage occurred on the 23d day of November, 1823, the parties being Miss Cleora, daughter of Samuel Phillips, and Asahel Canfield, at the residence of the bride's father. Lemuel Lee, of Lebanon (now New Lyme), solemnized the marriage contract. The Rev. Mr. Alton was present, and closed the interesting proceedings with prayer. This couple now reside in Bloomfield, Trumbull county.

The first physician was Porter Day, who settled just west of the Centre, near the cheese-factory, in about 1836. He only remained a year or two. The present physicians are E. T. Meacham, whose location is at the Centre, - having commenced practice at that point in the year 1862, - and II. J. Shatto, living in the west part of the township. H. A. Walling represents the dental profession in the township.

The first birth of which we have any knowledge was a daughter to Halsey and .Sally Phillips, in December, 1820. This child eventually became the wife of Milton 0. Jayne; both now deceased. The next birth was a son to Joel Blakeslee and wife, and occurred soon after the one previously referred to. This child (Samuel) married Elizabeth Delano, aud now resides on a portion of the original farm.

The first death of which we have definite knowledge was Leander, a son of Samuel Phillips, Jr., in about 1824. The name of the clergyman who officiated on the occasion of this funeral we are unable to learn, but the body was interred on lot 23, on the piece of ground now used as a cemetery.

The first cheese-factory was built in the year 1870. It was located at the Centre, and was operated by a joint stock company. This factory is now owned by Messrs. Taylor & Waldorf. There are two other factories in the township, one east of the Centre, owned by John Waldorf, and another, south of that point, is owned by Myron Gee.

Organization

In the spring of 1827 the commissioners ordered that this territory be organized as a township to be called Colebrook, and also that an election be held at the usual time. Accordingly, on the 2d of April of that year the following persons were elected : Theodore Miller, Halsey Phillips, and Levi Rice, trustees ; Joel Blakeslee, clerk ; Medad Canfield, treasurer ; Charles Hall and Francis Drake, fence-viewers; Samuel Phillips and Levi Ric-e, overseers of the poor; Benj. F. Phillips, constable, and Ira Kee, supervisor. Halsey Phillips was the first justice of the peace elected, and held the office for over twenty-five years. The present justices of the peace are John Gee and Leonidas Reeve, and the following are the officers for 1877 : M. McCarthy, John H. Phillips, and John Waldorf, trustees ; H. A. Walling, clerk; W. H. Lancaster, treasurer; Thomas Taylor, assessor; S. W. McCarthy and John Ulrich, constables. Eleven supervisors now have charge of the roads in the township. In 1834 the name of this township was changed to Phelps, and in 1S36 the old name was, by special act of legislature, restored to it. " When the first settlement was made in Colebrook by Mr. West, in 1811, our country was in its infancy. A threatening war with a foreign power, and, what was still more to be feared by the pioneers, a war with the savage Indians, made the emigrant's path full of danger. A journey from Connecticut to Ohio at that time was a greater undertaking than a trip around the world would be now. It required men and women of great courage to travel through forests without roads, cross rivers without bridges, live with wild beasts and savages, and exposed to the weather - an event astonishing in its magnitude."

One clear, frosty morning in the month of October of about the year 1827-28, as Mr. Joel Blakeslee was out milking his cow, he heard the rumbling of an approaching wagon, which, upon its arrival, contained old Mr. Bailey and his wife, from Greene, Trumbull county. Of course, Mr. Blakeslee was somewhat astonished to see this couple at so early an hour, - for the sun had not yet arisen, - and still more amused by the narration given by Mr. Bailey. They had got so late a start the day before that night overtook them before they had got through the woods, the traveling being necessarily slow, as no road had been opened between Greene and Colebrook, but only a sort of path or trail, which could be followed only by daylight ; consequently, as the darkness began to gather, they found themselves obliged to halt and prepare for a night in the woods. Accordingly, the old horse was unhitched from the wagon, and tied to a tree near by. Then the unfortunate couple lay down in the box to rest, covered with a blanket. But soon the stillness of the night was broken by the distant howling of a wolf, which was immediately answered by another and another, until soon the forest echoed and re-echoed with the music of these animals. This state of things caused Mrs. Bailey to feel the insecurity of her situation. She at once began to look about her for a place of safety, and immediately concluded to " ascend up higher," which she accordingly did, perching herself on a limb of a tree, where she remained until the welcome light of morn broke, dispersing the darkness aud also the serenaders, allowing her to descend and awaken her husband, who had been quietly reposing in the wagon-box. They then pursued their journey, and arrived at Mr. Blakeslee's in time for breakfast, after which they went on their way rejoicing.

Joel Blakeslee

We cannot, perhaps, at this time, do greater honor to the memory of this former antiquarian and historian than by quoting from an obituary written by a personal friend, under date of December 12, 1863, as follows: "Mr. Blakeslee was born in Colebrook, Connecticut, August 13, 1787. His father was Colonel Samuel Blakeslee, son of Joseph, who lived near the city of New Haven long before the Revolution. Colonel Blakeslee, the father of the subject of this notice, enlisted in the army of the Revolution, July 1, 1776, then sixteen years of age. He was in several battles, at Valley Forge, Monmouth, the storming of Stony Point, etc., served something over three years, and was honorably discharged. He was several times elected to the State legislature, and was highly respected as a citizen. After a term of years he moved to Avon, New York, and in the War of 1812, although exempt from military duty, he enlisted, and was promoted to colonel, in which capacity he served at the battle of Black Rock, where he came near losing his life. Returned to Avon, where he spent the rest of his life.

" Joel emigrated to Ohio in 1819, arriving in Lebanon (New Lyme) on February 16 of that year. After about one month he removed to Colebrook and made a permanent settlement, remaining there through life." Being of slight frame and frail constitution, the hardships of pioneer life were almost beyond his enduraWfe, yet he persevered and lived to see the lands denuded of the forest, churches and schools flourishing around him, and society rapidly attaining that high and cultured condition for which Ashtabula County is justly famed. He was not adapted to the life of a farmer, and much of his time was devoted to the teaching of day- and singing-schools. He had an easy, free delivery, and was often called upon to deliver addresses in his own and adjoining towns on different occasions. He was an examiner of school-teachers, clerk of his township for many years, and in various ways served the public in a manner always satisfactory to them and honorable to himself. " But the one characteristic of his life that was the most prominent was his love of antiquity. He lived in the past. Perhaps no one knew better than he did the incidents connected with the early history of every town in the county. Many of the readers of this sketch will remember him in connection with a cabinet of relics of his own collection often exhibited at our county fair; these are deposited with the historical and philosophical association at Jefferson. As agent of the society, he spent much time and labor in preparing a history of the county."

He was united in marriage on September 10, 1815, to MaryEmmitt, who was a daughter of Rev. Samuel Emmitt of Sparta, New York. The fruits of this union were seven children, viz., - Sarah P., born July 21, 1816, married James H. Williams (deceased) ; Harriet A., born August 20, 1818, married Lorenzo A. Saunders ; Samuel E., born May 16, 1821, married Elizabeth De Lano ; Nancy T., born January 2, 1824, married Sylvester Perrew; John A., born August 12, 1826, married Lucinda M. Gladding; Lemuel L., born February 16, 1829, married Mary Cook; and Mary J., born September 11, 1833, married William Addicott.

" He was a good neighbor, kind husband and father, a faithful friend, an enemy of no person, benevolent, and a true Christian." He was a life-long and worthy member of the society of Freemasons, and in his travels received much substantial aid from the brethren of this mystic brotherhood. His death occurred on the 27th day of November, 1863, and his funeral was conducted under the auspices of the order, a numerous audience being in attendance despite the inclemency of the weather. His works will stand a perpetual monument so long as time endures.