Ridgefield Township

Ridgefield Township

Ridgefield township, according to the original survey and numbering, is township number four, and range twenty-three. Ranges commence at the east line of the reserve, and five miles to the range. Townships are numbered from south to north, consequently the east line of the township is one hundred and fifteen miles from the east line of the state, and the south line of the township is fifteen miles north of the southern base line of the Connecticut Western Reserve and Firelands. The township as a whole is quite level, it might be termed a plateau, but along the streams there are some high banks, or bluffs, the streams having worn deep channels, and in the northeast corner of the township it is somewhat broken or rolling.

Ridgefield township was divided into four sections, and these were again divided into two-hundred-acre lots, making twenty lots in each section.

The east branch of the Huron river enters the township from the south, crossing the southern boundary on lot six, in section one. course is slightly east of north, flowing from the township on the east line, lot two in the second section. The west branch of the Huron river is formed from two streams, which cross the south line of the township; one on lots one and six in section four, and the other on lot sixteen in the same section. Uniting on lot seven they form the main stream. This flows a general northerly direction to near the center of Monroeville village. Here the course changes to due east, thence a northeasterly direction, and, after many devious turnings, crosses the north line of the township on lot fifteen in the second section. Another stream flows from the southwest, and empties its waters into the west branch, in Monroeville village. This is known as Frink run, from the fact that William Frink was the first to build a habitation on its bank. Frink run and the west branch of the Huron river divide the township, and on the northeast side of these streams the land is of the nature of prairie, and generally of a deep rich soil, with small islands and groves of small timber. Another small stream enters the township from the west, flows east-northeast and empties into the west branch on lot fifteen, section second. It is called Seymour brook, from the fact that a man named Seymour was killed by the Indians, in 1812, while engaged in cutting a beetree, which stood on its banks. the south and east side of Frink run and the west branch of the Huron river, the lands were heavily timbered, and possess a

Main Street, Looking East From James Street New London, Ohio

Numerous parties of the Wyandot and other tribes of Indians had a habitation in early times along the river. They passed the time in hunting, fishing, making baskets? ax helves, etc., and were generally quiet and peaceable, except when under the influence of "fire-water," or whisky. During the War of 1812, two inmates of the Parker block house in Milan, Seymour and Pixley, were engaged in cutting a "bee-tree," standing on the south side of the small stream flowing through the Clary farm. They had nearly completed their labors, when they were fired upon by a party of cowardly Indians, and Seymour instantly killed. Pixley ran, but becoming entangled in the brushwood, was captured, and remained a prisoner for many months.

William Frink is thought to be the first white man that contracted for land Ridgefield township, for the purpose of settlement. His contract is dated 1811, and was for the south part of lot number five in the fourth section. Frink built the first house in the township. It was of logs and stood near the site of the house now owned by Samuel Clock. Frink was more hunter than farmer, and when Seth Brown came into the township, in the spring of 1812, Frink sold his contract and left the county. Very little is now known of his history. either before or since he left the township, except that he was eventually found dead in Seneca county. He was one of those characters who prefer the solitude of the wilderness.

Ridgefield township was organized the first Monday in December, 1815, and comprised the territory now included in the townships of Ridgefield, Sherman, Lyme, and the south half of Oxford. The first election was held in the spring of 1816, at the house of Joseph F. Read, on lot sixteen in section two.

The pioneer wedding in the township was Thomas Dickey to Miss Elizabeth Myers. It transpired in April, 1819. This couple died in Ridgefield, the wife in 1854, and the husband, January 10, 1879.

The first school house in the township was erected on lot number two hundred and seventy-two, in Monroeville village. It was, doubtless, built of logs, but the date of its construction, the writer could not ascertain. George Burt was the first teacher and he was paid ten dollars per month for his services.

In 1818 a Baptist church was organized in Ridgefield township, composed of members residing in the territory now embraced in Huron and Erie counties. The meetings of this body were held in different localities until 1835 when, by mutual consent, the church was permanently located in Norwalk. This was the first church organization in the township.

The first house in the township was built by Richard and Henry Burt, in 1817. The sawmill was built first, and the gristmill soon afterward.

In the first section of Ridgefield township, on lots number two and three, are found remains of ancient earthworks. It will be remembered the east branch of Huron river enters the township from the east on the corner of lot number three. In the first section there is a stream known as the Peru branch, which flows into the east branch on lot number three, where its course is turned north. These streams make three high banks or bluffs, which lie nearly in a triangular form. Upon these are earthwork fortifications of a circular form. There was also on lot number eighteen in the second section, on the east side of the west branch of the Huron river, an ancient mound of small size.

In the fourth section is located a circular earthwork, enclosing an area of, perhaps, ten acres. The indications are that a stockade formerly surmounted the present embankment. Immediately south of this are a number of mounds. In these, as in the others mentioned above, human bones have been found, indicating to a certainty that these elevations are the burial places of a race formerly inhabiting the country, but long since extinct.

Four Corners

Dr. Daniel Tilden was undoubtedly the pioneer settler at the "Corners." The date of his coming was in 1817 or 1818. The next settler was, without doubt, the grandfather of Jay Cooke. Lewis Stone was the next settler and Martin Vroman the fourth.

Colonel James Smith settled at "Four Corners" in 1828. He purchased the hemp machine property in 1832; made brick for several years, removed to Monroeville in 1837.

The corners did not settle rapidly ; in fact, the foregoing are all who may be regarded as pioneers: John Seymour, now of Lyme township, bought the Vroman property, and to him belongs the honor of selling the first merchant goods at the "corners." He sold to Lewis Stone. The second store was established by John K. Campbell in about 1835.

As early as 1830, and possibly earlier, the old stone school house was built. Prior to this, however, a school was held in one room of Martin Vroman's house. The teacher was a man named Perkins. This was as early as 1825. Religious services were held in the school house until the erection of the present church.

| Sherman township is number three, range twenty-four, and was thus named in honor of Taylor Sherman, one of the directors of the Firelands company. The

It is bounded as follows: on the north by Lyme township, south by Norwich township, east by Peru township, and west by the townships of Thompson and Reed, in Seneca county.

The surface is generally level, and the soil principally clay. Along the borders of the streams it is mixed with yellow sand, and is easily tilled. Away from the streams the soil is harder to work, but is productive, and improves very much with proper culture. This township contains but little waste land.

Daniel Sherman, (son of Taylor Sherman and uncle of General W. T. Sherman) Burwell Fitch and Samuel Seymour, were the first white settlers of the township. The year of their arrival was 1812. They were from Norwalk, Connecticut, and the last end of their journey was over what was then known as the Portage road, their teams being the first which traveled over it. The first night after leaving Newcomb's in Bronson, was spent in the woods. They were not accustomed to this sort of a life, and were disturbed and considerably alarmed at the noise of the wild animals with which the surrounding woods abounded. They immediately commenced improvements, in the second section. The first clearing was made on Sherman's land, and the next on that of Burwell Fitch. Tpe first house in the township was built on the land of the latter.

Most of the early settlers located in the first, third and fourth sections, the second not being in the market. Mo particular effort was made by the original owners to draw settlers that way, except, perhaps, by the Lockwoods. In 1814, land was held at one dollar and fifty cents per acre. - Blanchard came this year and bought fifty acres of land. Daniel Sherman gave him fifty acres more to induce him to settle, and the year following he began clearing his farm.

At the first meeting of the commissioners of Huron county, held August I815, Sherman was attached to Greenfield township, and in December of the same year was detached, and together with the south half of Oxford was united with Ridgefield. About the year 1820 it was united with Norwich, but no record is given of it. March 6, 1827, Norwich was detached, and Sherman has since remained a distinct township. The first general election, while united with Norwich, was held in October 10, 1820.

The first school was taught by George Hanford in about 1824 or 1825 a building standing on lot number eighteen in the third section. There were some eight or ten scholars in attendance. In 1827 or 1828 the township was divided into two school districts, termed the east and west districts. The first school house was built on lot number nineteen in the first section, and the first public school was taught by Sarah Mason, one of the early settlers of Norwalk. She received the first public money that ever came into the township for school purposes, and was paid off in silver half dollars. She had fourteen or fifteen

The first sermon preached in Sherman township was, without doubt, by Rev. Alva Coe, at the house of Daniel Sherman. It was early in the settlement. The Methodist ministers were early upon the scene, and organized a church. Meetings were held at private houses, usually at Joseph La Barre's and William Williams'.

The first death in the township, was a child of R. S. Paine, date not remembered. The body was interred in Lyme township. The second death was the wife of Daniel Sherman, in 1821. She was buried on the farm of her husband, in what is now the burying ground, in lot number six in the third section.

The first frame house in the township, was built by Henry M. Read, soon after 1820. It was located on Slate run. Coles Bloomer built the first brick house in Sherman township.

Daniel Sherman received a commission as postmaster, but did not accept the office. Rufus S. Paine was next commissioned, and became the first postmaster. After a few years, the office was removed to Weaver's corners, and C. A. Bloomer was duly commissioned postmaster. In 1871, a mail route was established from Beilevue to Lodi, and afterward an office was established at the German settlement, called Bismark, one mile south of the center, with C. Westrick postmaster.

In about 1835, Messrs. Isaac and David Underhill of Ridgefield township, established a store at Weaver's corners. This closed out after a few years.

Few of the present inhabitants can appreciate the privations endured by the pioneer settlers of Sherman township. Their milling was done at Eldridge, Cold Creek, and sometimes Greenfield. Wheat and corn were the principal productions, but there was no market. At one time thirty-six bushels of corn were paid for one barrel of salt. Not many of the necessaries, and fewer of the luxuries, of life were enjoyed by them. Wolf scalps and Owl creek bills constituted a large portion of the currency.

The Indians were not very numerous in this township, but were often seen in hunting parties after the war. At one time they had a camp in the township. Among their number was the noted chief, Seneca John. An Indian trail ran northwest and southeast through the township, and was visible for many years.