BOSTON TOWNSHIP

     The first settlers in this Township were Samuel Ewart, from Ireland, and Alfred Wolcott, from Hartford, Connecticut. They came into Boston together, about the first of March 1806. Ewart building himself a house on the top of the hill a little north of east from the present village, on lot 44; and Wolcott locating in the south part of what is now called the village of Boston. Wol­cott surveyed out the Township. Ewart died at Sandusky in 1815. On the 24th of March 1806 James Stanford, Abner Rob­inson, and Adam and William Vance, came into the Township together. They were soldiers in Wayne's army. Mr. Stanford died January 13, 1827. Abner Robinson died about five years ago. Adam Vance was drowned in the Cuyahoga in 1812, and his brother William was killed by a fall from a load of hay a few years later.

     There was then an Indian settlement near the north line of the Township, below the present site of the village. They were Sen­ecas, under their Chief Stygwanish, or Seneca. An orchard planted by the Indians, is still standing near their old village ground. Panty's Camp is about half a mile north west of this old village, on the West side of the river. It was a celebrated place in early times, and was one of the great land marks of the county. It was at this place where Major Rogers, with his forces, overtook Nicksaw, and the other Indians who were pres­ent when Daniel Diver was shot, in Deerfield, 1806. It was a celebrated place for the collecting of war parties, previous to starting on their expeditions. They had erected here, a wooden God—a kind of home-made Mars—to whom they made offerings, and sacrifices, to propitiate his favor, before starting on a war-march. The offering generally consisted of tobacco—and, on leaving they usually hung two or three pounds around his neck, for his use during their absence. Abner Robinson, and Bob Mays, whom I had occasion to mention in the sketches of Rich­field and Bath, loving tobacco better than hard work, volunteered to minister at the altar of this Indian Deity; and what of the sac­rifice was not eaten by the God, was stolen by the Priests.

     James Stanford came from Pennsylvania to Boston, but was a native of Ireland, and came to the United States in 1795.

     In 1514 George Wallace of Cleveland purchased the land where Brandywine village now stands, and erected a saw-mill—and in the fall of that year erected a gristmill at the same place. The subsequent year he brought on a store of goods. These were the first mills, and the first store in Boston. The tract embracing the village, and mills has since been attached to Northfield.

    In 1821 Capt. W. Mather erected a large flouring mill on the Cuyahoga river, at Boston village. It is now owned by J. D. Edson of Akron.

     Harmon Bronson came into the Township in 1825, and settled on tract 2, about half a mile west of the village of Peninsula, where he built a sawmill on a small run since called sawmill run, where J. H. Curtiss has now a tannery.

     Near the centre of the Township is a large bend in the Cuya­hoga, which forms a peninsula, the course of the river being a mile, and coming within sixty feet of the starting point. In 1831 Mr. Bronson commenced tunnelling through this neck, by which, having a dam of ten inches high on the opposite side, he secured a fall of six feet in the river. On the lower end of this tunnel he erected a flouring mill, which he still occupies.

     In the speculating seasons of 1836-'37 it was supposed that Boston would soon rival its eastern namesake. Alfred and Irad Kelley, and other capitalists formed a company called “The Boston Land Company," purchased the land in and around the vil­lage, laid out a city, and made calculations, like most other pro­prietors of paper cities, but to be disappointed. The city is still there, but the inhabitants are missing. This township, which is Town 5, Range 11, being one of the equalizing Townships, was cut up into strips, and attached to other Townships to make them equal to the average Townships of the Reserve. Tract 1 in this Township, lying on the north end, and west of the Cuyahoga, was attached to Eaton, in Lorain county, and belonged to Judge Kirtland. Tract 2 lying south of tract 1, was attached to No. 5, in Range 15, now Columbia, in Lorain county, and belonged to Levi Bronson, Harmon Bronson, Azor Bronson, J. Prichard, and Calvin Hoadly.

     The equalizing of the Townships was done by a committee who went through each Township from east to west, and from north to south. In going through Columbia they went north about three-fourths of a mile west of the centre, which was swampy almost the whole way. In passing through from east to west, they went about a mile and a half north of the centre, crossing Rocky River where there was no bottom land, and they set the Township down at third rate, and attached Tract 2, in Boston, to it, to make it average.

     When Judge Kirtland surveyed out his tract-(tract 1) which was set to Eaton, he found a surplus of 200 acres. He then or­dered his surveyor, Alfred Wolcott, to survey Tract 2, which was attached to Columbia. Here was found a surplus of 400 acres, and Kirtland ordered his surveyor to equalize the Tracts by tak­ing 129 acres from tract 2, and attaching it to tract 1. This 129 acres Kirtland afterward sold to Robert, and Thomas Brannan—the first payment for which was made in a barrel of whiskey—which, in those days was a legal tender. When Harmon Bronson came into the Township, finding the Brannans on his tract, he commenced an action of ejectment against them, and after a se­vere litigation Kirtland's equalizing was set aside, and the Bran­nans ousted.

     From the numerous streams running through the Township, it might be supposed to be unhealthy—but observation proves this not to be the case. In 1830 there were living in the Township, five persons of about 100 years of age. Henry Brown, Andrew Johnson, Thomas Brannan, Eleazer Gillson, and Eleazer Mather. The first three of them were Irishmen. Brown died in 1831, aged 103, Brannan in 1829, Johnson in 1834, Gillson in 1841.

     At the building of the canal one of the laborers died, and just before the lid of the coffin was screwed down, old Brannan went to take Irish leave of him. Looking down upon his departed countrymen he says: " Pathric, you and I have long been friends. We have taken many a good glass of grog to gither—but now we must part. Pathric, ye have got intil a house ye can niver get out of—Pace to yer ashes, Pathric:"

     When digging the canal, in this Township, near what is called Jonny cake Lock, a number of ancient skulls were dug up, and thrown up with them were antique copper coin. Being considerably corroded, they were considered of no value, and lost, or thrown away.

     The date, and coining cannot now be ascertained. Whether these skulls have any connection with the fortifications described in Bath, which are about a mile south of the Lock, can never be known. If the skulls exhumed at the Lock had been preserved, so as to compare them with those found in the mounds, and forts in Bath, it might have thrown some light on the subject—but the skulls, like the coins, were thrown away as worthless. Science has lost the benefit of the comparison.

     Jenny cake Lock took its name in 1828 from the following circumstance:—In the spring of that year, soon after the boats started on the canal, there was an extraordinary freshet in Furnace run, which, flowing into the canal entirely stopped navigation. A large num­ber of boats being thus water bound, the crews and passengers eat up all their provisions, and all that could be got in the neigh­borhood, except corn meal. They had to live on Jonny cake while repairs were making in the canal. It was new Jonny cake for breakfast, warmed up for dinner, cold for supper. Many at­tempts have been made to change its name; but to no purpose. Jonny cake will stick to it as long as the lock exists.

     Abner Robinson, the Poet, spent the latter part of his life near this lock. Billings Chaffee Esq., for many years a worthy Justice of the Peace, also lived in the vicinity, and was often called upon to measure out Justice to Abner. Abner often dissented from the opinion of the court, and usually gave his dissenting opinion in verse. On one occasion when Judge Bliss was opposing coun­sel to Abner, and the decision adverse, Abner gave off impromptu:

"My name is Billings Chaffee,

In Boston I do dwell;

There's not a neighbor in the Town,

But wishes me in hell.

They say that I am partial,

And all such stuff as this,

That I've no judgment of my own,

But am controll'd by Bliss."

     Lois Ann Gear taught the first school in the Township, in the summer of 1811. The school house stood near where the house of George Stanford now stands. Miss Gear afterwards married Phineas White, who died in 1816. She afterwards married a Mr. Barnard, and she is now living in Cincinnati, over three score and ten years of age.

     Malinda Wolcott, daughter of Alfred Wolcott, was the first white child born in the Township. She was born April 14, 1807, is now the wife of Sherman Oviatt, and is living in Hudson.—Henry Post Jr., was the first male child born in the Township, and was born on the 8th of April 1809 and is now living in Bos­ton. Mary Ann Post, a daughter of Henry Post Sr., was the first person that died in the Township. She died June 9th, 1808.

     Henry Post came into the Township in 1806, and moved his family into it in 1807. He raised the first crop of wheat in Bos­ton. He is now living near Brandywine in a healthy, vigorous old age.

     The first marriage in the Township was William Carter and Betsy Mays, on the 29th of July 1812. They are still living in Boston. Israel Ozman of Boston was married in 1812, at Rich­field, to Susan Mallett.

     Harmon Bronson, Levi Bronson, Azor Bronson, Calvin Hoadly, and Jared Prichard, owned Tract 2 in Boston; that being attach­ed, as already stated to Tract 5 in the 15th Range (Columbia) to equalize it. H. Bronson was born in Waterbury, Connecticut, Dec. 18, 1773, and in 1805 formed the copartnership with his brothers, Hoadly and Prichard to purchase a Township in "New Connecticut." In 1807 Mr. Bronson came out on foot to see his land, and being pleased with the country, he returned to his fam­ily with whom, in Sept. 1809, he left Connecticut for Ohio. He came by land as far as Buffalo, and then took passage on the "Ranger," Capt- Hathaway, and landed at Cleveland on the 1st of Nov. 1809. He soon after moved on to his Township (Co­lumbia) where, during the year he was joined by his partners. Owning some land in Euclid, (now East Cleveland,) he removed on to that in 1820. He built the first barn in Euclid, for Timo­thy Doan. It was built on the West side of the road nearly op­posite to where Samuel Dodge now lives. It is still standing.—It was built in the spring of 1810. He also built the first saw­mill in Euclid, for Seth Doane, and John Shaw, on nine mile run, below where Mr. Coit now lives. This was built in 1810. He also built the first frame house, and first frame barn in Columbia, Lorain County. The house was built in 1816, and the barn in 1818. In 1825 he moved on to his land, (Tract 2,) in Boston, where he has since resided, and still resides in a healthful and vigorous old age. His family are all living, and in Nov. before last they all made a visit at the paternal mansion. Cuyahoga county was organized in May 1819. Judge Benjamin Ruggles presiding in the Court of Common Pleas. At the second Term of said Court Harmon Bronson was foreman of the Grand Jury.—This Term commenced Nov. 6, 1810, when Alfred Kelley was ad­mitted to practice as an Attorney, and was also appointed Pros­ecutor. The Court ordered that "the Prosecutor be entitled to the sum of $15 a Term for his services up to this November Term, inclusive."

     Boston was long celebrated for its Banking Institution. It was, about 1832, the most extensive banking establishment in Ohio, if not in the Union. The officers of the Bank were William G. Taylor, who lived on the lower end of Water Street; Cleveland, nearly opposite the Light House, where his house now stands.— Dan Brown, of Rising Sun, Indiana, James Brown, of Boston, and Col. William Ashley from Vermont. A more noble set of Wien never met to consult on the affairs of the State Bank of Ohio; and, excepting the fact that they never had a charter from the State, authorizing them to swindle, a more honest, set of men never congregated as a Board of Control." Taylor was a law­yer, a man of education and talent, and wealthy. Dan Brown was a merchant; the finest looking, and most accomplished gen­tleman in the West. James Brown is too well known to need a description. Those who knew him twenty years ago, will en­dorse the portrait when I say he was one of the finest looking men in Ohio. Over six feet in height, well proportioned, his hair black as the raven, a little curly, and it was proverbial that his word was as good as a bond. Col. Ashley was from Vermont, where he started his banking operations; but being hard pressed he fled to Slab city, in Canada, from which he was compelled to flee, when he came to Boston in 1822. One of the finest speci­mens of a man, with the exterior, and manners that would adorn any society; he sunk the gentleman in the Banker. After va­rious vicisitudes in 1832 they started a grand scheme of financier­ing, in which, if they had succeeded they would have rivalled the Board of Control of the State Bank of Ohio.

     This was to swindle the world. They discounted an immense amount of bills on the United States Bank, with which they con­templated visiting Europe, and even China, and exchanging the United States Bank paper for the products of those countries.—They were arrested, however, in New Orleans. Dan Brown died there in the Calaboose. James Brown was used as a witness against Taylor, who was acquitted, and became a vagabond on the earth. Ja's Brown was subsequently arrested, and sent to the Penitentiary for ten years, by the United States Court, but was pardoned by President Taylor. Ashley died in the Penitentiary of Ohio in 1838. Abram Holmes, one of the Stock-holders, be­came a fugitive from Justice, but returned in 1837 with a con­sumption, of which he soon after died. Daniel Brown, a son of James was arrested when but eighteen years old for discounting their issues in Lorain County, but was liberated by a technicality of law, from thence became a fugitive from justice, not having a place on which to set his foot in safety till 1851, when he saved the officers of Justice any further trouble by dying. The balance of the stockholders having more skill in the science of banking, shared the profits, but avoided the liabilities. James Brown, it is said, is preparing a history of those banking operations, in which will figure some of the magnates of the land. They shared the profits, while Brown had to meet the responsibilities. Thus fell the bank of Boston; since which no Township is superior in morality, good order, and intelligence to Boston. Since specu­lators and Bankers have left, industry, honesty, and prosperity are characteristics of the Township.

     The township was organized on the 15th of January 1811. The qualified electors met on that day at the house of Timothy Bish­op for the purpose of electing two Justices of the Peace, and oth­er town officers. Capt- Abram Miller was chairman ; Timothy Bishop, Lemuel More, and Jonathan Eldings Judges of election. Alfred Wolcott, and Moses Cunningham were elected the first Justices. William Beer, Town Clerk. Aaron Miller, Andrew Johnson, and Timothy Bishop, Trustees. It would seem that they could not get any one to act as fence viewer, in the Township, for in the records of Boston is the following entry:

     "Richfield, June 8th, 1814. Personally came before me, my father, John Farnam, and was qualified, according to law, to perform the office of fence viewer.

Leman Farnum, J. Peace."

     On the 5th of April, 1813, Isaac Ozman was elected clerk, and Isaac Ozman, and Henry Post were elected appraisers of property. They both reside in the Township at this time, and with the ex­ception of Nathaniel Oviatt, of Richfield, are all the survivors of the thirteen officers that were elected at that time. Isaac Ozman, and Henry Post have been retained in office nearly ever since.

At that early day, when forests were more plenty than enclo­sures, hogs were free commoners, and lived in the woods. Fur­nace run, in the south part of the Township, on the line between Richfield and Boston, was a great resort for them, as "shack" was plenty. Two men became quite noted for selling a great deal of pork, when they raised none. One night some wag hung a hogs skin before the door of one of them, as a sign, and a hog's head before the other, the eyes looking into the house. Abner Robinson, the Poet, immortalized them in his inimitable verse, which, like the writings of Homer, were never written, but banded down by tradition:

"There is a man on Furnace run

Who keeps a dog, but not a gun,

In hunting hogs he takes great pride,

He lives by the sign of "the hog's hide."

Another neighbor lives close by,

And lives by "the sign of the pig's eye;"

"Hog's hide" to " pig's eye" thus did say,

We will catch hogs while others pray."

     One of the suspected ones, sometime after, professed to have had a change of heart,  and became apparently, very pious. One of the neighbors soon after missed a spotted hog, and on making search for it, found it in this convert's cellar. Fearing an unen­viable immortality from Abner's poetic Chronicles, he went to him, and begged of him not to make any verses about it to which Abner agreed. A few days after one verse was found written on tree, where the bark was peeled off:

" Martin M. is a righteous man,

Ho will go to Heaven if he can,

But it never was in his Bible, wrote

That he should steal that spotted shoat."

     Shortly after the appearance of this pastoral Abner got be­nighted near M.'s house and as it was raining, tremendously, he asked the hospitalities of a shelter, and lodging for the night.—M. told him as he had sung in pleasant weather he might now dance in the storm, and shut the door in his face. Abner, though somewhat wet, thought his neighbor "rather dry."

     In the construction of the Ohio canal, Alfred Belly was chief engineer, and generally pretty rigid with the contractors. This caused great complaint, and many fervent wishes were expressed for his ultimate destiny in a region where there was no water, for canal or any other purposes. Abner expressed his desires in verse, one of which was:

"Old Beelzebub, when he gets him there,

Will take him by the throat,

And hold him in the brimstone fire,

And singe his blanket coat."