Lewis Wolcott, best known as Captain Wolcott, and David Curtis, were the first arrivals. They came in the spring of 1806, from Vienna Township. Lewis Wolcott, son of Theodore, was a descendant of Henry Wolcott, who came to this country about the year 1630. In the spring of 1805 he made the journey from Connecticut to Ohio on foot, carrying all his earthly possessions in a knapsack. He stopped one year in Vienna, working for Joel Humiston. David Curtis, a son of lawyer Curtis, was the companion of his journeying. Upon their arrival here they built a pole cabin for a summer residence, near the spot where Mr. Kibbee's house now stands at West Farmington.
In the summer of 1806, Zenas Curtis, David or Lawyer Curtis, and Elihu Moses brought their families and located. Zenas Curtis built a cabin on the Fuller farm on the State road, now owned by C.A. Mackay. David Curtis built on the old Ransley Curtis farm, where Dr. Meyers now lives, and Elihu
Moses is on the opposite side of the road from S.H. Loveland's
The next arrivals are mentioned in the biographical sketch of the Wolcott family given below:
Josiah Wolcott, married Miss Lydia (First) Russell, of Wethersfield, May 13, 1779. The children of this union are mentioned on page 11. First Lydia Russell Wolcott died on April 17, 1805 at the age of forty-three years. Her son, Edmund P. was five years old. Josiah again married; his second wife was Mrs. Nancy Higgins, widow of Dr. Higgins of Wethersfield, Connecticut; the time of his marriage was February 16, 1806. The names of their children are also listed on page 5 in this story. Nancy Higgins Wolcott died on October 13, 1824. Josiah Wolcott married a third time, the object of his affections being Mrs. Brown, of Warren, Ohio. They had one daughter, Nancy.
Mr. Wolcott died January 18, 1838, in his eighty-third year. His native place was Wethersfield, which he left about the year 1800, (my other records show he left Wethersfield for Bristol in the year 1792) and settled in the town of Bristol, Connecticut. His occupation was that of a farmer. He lived in Bristol until 1806, when he was persuaded, by the glowing representations of a New Connecticut land speculator, one Solomon Bond, to make a purchase of one thousand acres of land in the then unbroken wilderness. He visited his new territory in the fall or winter of 1806 and 1807, in company with his son Horace. Mr. Wolcott's brother Theodore, and his son Lewis, and Gad Hart, came out at the same time. They "rolled" up a log house, perhaps fifteen feet square, without the help of a team; in this place they wintered. The ground, on which this bachelor residence stood on northwest corner of center, was a few feet west of the Wolcott store. This building was raised, enclosed, floors laid, and inside finished without having a sawed piece of timber in it. Here the company passed the winter. At that time the place was nothing more nor less than a wilderness; not an article of food, either for man or beast, was to be had in the township. They brought the straw to fill their bunks from Mesopotamia, and as the forest was so dense that they could not get their straw through, they were obliged to travel down the old path from Mesopotamia to Warren, as far as Grand River, and then come up on the ice to their lodgings.
Mr. Josiah Wolcott returned to his family early in the spring, after a most fatiguing journey, made more so by losing his horse in Pennsylvania; he made the rest of the journey on foot, at the time when the roads were in their worst state. He disposed of his farm and arranged his affairs, and left the land of "steady habits," as it then was appropriately called, arriving with his family and three of his second wife's children, viz:
1. Nancy Higgins
2. Silas Higgins
3. Polly Higgins
In the meantime his son Horace had put up a log house for the accommodation of the family; the size, perhaps might be 20 X 22. In this a family of from twelve to fourteen had to find a home, but it was highly prized by all. Now the business was to clear off the timber, and that was undertaken wit a will; the boys were working at it every day, except the Sabbath and on that day services were held at some private house, either at the center or at some ones house at the west, usually at David Curtis's. Situated as they were, it would seem they had no time for sickness, or no accommodation when they were ill. Yet one of their numbers, a sister Mary, was during the spring and summer months gradually sinking under the scourge of our race, viz: consumption. Their son, Dr. Silas, attended her, but nothing seemed to produce a good effect, and she died September 2, 1808. A few trees were felled, and a grave dug. This spot was where the present cemetery now is. Her funeral was the first, and her grave the first in the township.
Miss Wolcott's death was the result of a serious accident, which happened while the family was on their way from Connecticut to Ohio. As the roads were bad the women walked much of the way. As Mary --or-- Polly-- was attempting to cross a stream on a log, steadying herself with a pole, she fell into the water. It being late in the season she took a severe cold, from the effects of which she never recovered. The following epitaph was placed upon the headstone, which marks her grave:
"Parents and friends, a long adieu:
I leave this wilderness to you;
My body lies neath this stone --
The arrests of death you cannot shun."
Mr. Wolcott felt that meetings on the Sabbath must be kept up, and succeeded in carrying out the convictions of propriety in this particular idea. As it was seldom the case that they had preaching, when meetings were not requested at other houses they held meetings in their own place - often had preaching in Parkman, and Judge Parkman and lady frequently attended here. The way of getting to church was on horseback for those who had horses, or with ox-teams.
Mr. Wolcott, considering the help he had, had cleared quite a farm before the breaking out of the War of 1812. But from that time he saw the great disadvantage all were laboring under, in not having mills of any kind; and in this state of things two men called upon him, professing to be number one mill-wrights, and persuaded him to undertake the building of a saw and gristmill.
They cut and hewed and hauled on to the ground a large quantity of timber, and partially constructed running gear, etc. but in consequence of indebtedness, which was likely to send him to the "lock-up", the main part of his workmen left, and the undertaking was abandoned. The project of mill building rested for several years. Another mill-wright appeared, who proposed to put up one on the spot where A. D. Kibbee & Co.'s mill now stands; but their mill soon went down, and proved a failure. The scheme went to rest again, and after a space of one or two years a third trial was made, and they succeeded in getting a good sawmill.
About this time complaints were made by parties who had erected mills above Seats; vexatious suits were commenced and continued in court for some ten years. Several judgments were obtained and paid. Mr. Wolcott being confident that his dam did not back water to the injury of the upper mills, the Legislature enacted a law giving the party wishing to erect or sustain a dam across any stream the privilege to summon a special jury, who should view the premises and decide how high the party might raise a dam without injury to others. This act was complied with, and that put an end to the litigation. Twelve of the best men in Trumbull county gave their verdict to the effect that he had been put to all the costs and vexation of ten or more suits unjustly.
E. P. Wolcott, son of Josiah Wolcott, was born November 17, 1800, in Bristol, Connecticut. His advantages for an education were limited; he however obtained a good practical and business knowledge. He was reared a farmer, worked at it till he was thirty, then went to selling goods at Farmington. He married Clarissa Bosworth, of Farmington. November 19, 1829; result of this union, nine children;
1. Julia E. Wolcott
2. William W. Wolcott
3. Amelia Wolcott
4. Cecillia Wolcott
5. Charles F Wolcott
6. Addison L. Wolcott
7. Mary E. Wolcott
Mr. Wolcott lived some ten years at Chagrin Falls and while there, was justice of the peace. He also held several offices of trust and honor in this township. He was a member of the Congregational church; in politics, a Republican. It may be said of this gentleman that he was one of the strong supporters of the Congregational church; and the cause of education had in him a warm supporter. He died March 21, 1881.
Capt. Erastus Wolcott, fourth son and seventh child of Josiah and Lydia, was born in Bristol, Hartford County, Connecticut, on May 2, 1795. His advantages for an education were nothing, in fact, only having had three months schooling in his life. He was early disciplined in all the details of farm life, which he has followed as an avocation through life. When but eight years old he came here with his father's family. He married Miss Almira Hannahs, of Nelson, Portage County, on June 19, 1820. She was born March 9, 1798, in Bethlehem, Connecticut. She was the first teacher in this town. Result of marriage, six children, their names:
1. Orlando K. Wolcott
2. Luther H. Wolcott
3. Catharine C. Wolcott
4. Julius E. Wolcott
5. Orvis A. Wolcott
6. Helen C. Wolcott
Mr. Wolcott has held various offices in this town. Elected captain of State militia about 1825. United with Presbyterian church 1825; he was chosen deacon in 1841, succeeding his father; he was ruling elder at the time of his death. His wife died Jan 11, 1865. Deacon Wolcott was again married to Celesta Worrell, of Farmington, Jan 5, 1866. She was the widow of John Worrell. Captain Wolcott died December 26, 1867.
Horace Wolcott died June 28, 1872, aged eighty-seven years and seven months. We subjoin the names, births and deaths of his family: Edward C., born October 21, 1809, died April 6, 1864; infant daughter, (Sabrina #1) born June 6, 1810, died June 8, 1810. Louisa, born July 16, 1812, died May 13, 1813; Russell, born May 23, 1814, died October 20, 1865; infant daughter, (Sabrina #2) born September 14, 1816, died September 15, 1816; Julia, born September 23, 1817, died February 21, 1830; Addison, born April 18, 1820, died March 20, 1869; Albert G., born August 30, 1823, living; Sophia, born September 15, 1826, died January 16, 1849; Caroline, born March 18, 1829, living. Mrs. Sabrina Wolcott died July 28, 1865, aged seventy-five. The heads of the above family were united in marriage December 15, 1808. Albert G. was living in Wyandotte, Kansas, engaged in the lumber business and "real estate."
Caroline Bughoff is living at the center, with her only child, Edwin F.
The house built by Horace Wolcott was a little more pretentious than most pioneer dwellings. He hauled boards from Parkman, and made a very comfortable cabin, with floors above and below and a door of boards. But when the family arrived and surveyed it, the women, thinking of the pleasant home they had left in the East, burst into tears.
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