Hartland Township

Hartland Township

Hartland township was originally called Canterbury. It was attached to Clarksfield until 1826; at which time it was organized into a separate township and received the name of Hartland.

The surface of the township is generally level, though less so in the south and east parts than elsewhere. The soil is a clay loam, modified by gravel and sand along the streams and on the Hartland ridge, which runs a general north and south direction through the second section. There were formerly a number of swamps or marshes in the township, the largest of which were known as Canterbury swamp, Cranberry marsh, Grape swamp and Bear swamp. The first was over two miles in length, varying in width from fifty to one hundred and fifty rods, and lay south east of the center. Cranberry marsh lay north of the center, and contained about one hundred acres. These formerly unsightly places have been more or less reclaimed, and the soil, which is a deep black muck, is the best in the township.

The principal native varieties of timber were white wood, white, black and burr oak, white and black ash, black walnut, hickory, birch and maple.

The Vermillion river runs through the southeast quarter of the township, and adds a pleasing element to the landscape. Indian creek has its source in the southwest part and flows into the Vermillion near the east town line. Brandy creek, which is said to have derived its name from the peculiar color of the water, rises near the center of the township, flows through the northeast part of the township and across the northwest corner of Clarksfield, uniting with the Vermillion a short distance west of the center of Wakeman township.

Native Animals

The animals of the forest were the bear, deer, wolf, wild cat, gray fox and other species of less importance. Bears were not numerous and seldom seen.

The first couple married was Elijah Bills and Mary Howard, daughter of Captain William Howard. This event occurred June 2, 1822, at the residence of the bride's parents, - John Beatty, Esq., performing the nuptial ceremony.

The first death was that of Jared Tolls, who died in the fall of 1818. He was buried on his farm, in a coffin made out of Daniel Bills' wagon-box, as there was no lumber to be had. A small apple tree sprout was planted at the head of the grave, which grew to be a large tree, but it has been removed, and the exact location of the grave is now unknown. The early settlers sometimes experienced a great deal of difficulty in getting their grinding done. There were grist mills in some of the adjacent townships, but they were at rest much of the time in consequence of dry weather, and at such times trips to Cold creek, and occasionally even to Mansfield, sixty miles distant, and through almost unbroken forests, were necessary to get grinding done. Families whose supply of flour would be exhausted before the return of the grist from the mill, would enjoy a week's variety of pounded wheat or "jointed corn."

The first school house was built in the fall of 1821, on the ground that is now occupied by the Ridge burying ground. The size of the house was sixteen by twenty feet, with puncheon floor. The door, seats and writing desks were also made of puncheons, and greased paper served as glass for the windows.

The first school was kept by Cyrus Munger, in the winter of 1821-22. The families of Josiah Kilbourn, William Howard, Daniel Bills, Joseph Osyor, Nathan Miner and Samuel White were represented in the school.

In April, 1826, the township was erected by the trustees into one school district, called district number one. The following were at that time householders of the district: Josiah Kilbourn, William Howard, Daniel Miner, Elijah Bills, Samuel White, Jesse Taintor, Nathan Miner, Sylvester Waldron, Libeus Stoors, Allen Mead, Eli Barnum and Henry Pickard.

In 1833 the first post office was established in Hartland, with Daniel Miner as postmaster, who kept the office in his house, on the ridge, for a period of twentyone years.

The first sermon preached in Hartland was by the Rev. Lot B. Sullivan, a Congregational home missionary. The first regular religious services were held at the house of Joseph Waldron, in the summer and fall of 1821, at which the Revs. True Pattee and James McIntyre, Methodist circuit preachers, officiated.

After the school house was built, on the ridge, in the fall of 1821, the meetings were held there. There was at this time but one Methodist family in the township. In 1824, a few Free Will Baptist families moved into the township, among which was that of Allen Mead, a preacher of that denomination. They soon after began to hold meetings, and, under the preaching of Méad, Elder Wheeler of Greenfield, and Rev. Mr. Carlton, quite a revival followed, resulting in the organization of a church in Clarksfield, with which the Baptists in Hartland

The first sawmill in the township was built by Judah Ransom, on Indian creek, in the spring of 1826. There were other saw mills erected later. The Chaffee mill, in the third section ; the Miles mili, at the center, and the Thomas mill at Olena.