OHIO STATEWIDE FILES - Know your Ohio: Norwich -- pt 2 *********************************************************************** OHGENWEB NOTICE: All distribution rights to this electronic data are reserved by the submitter. Reproduction or re-presentation of copyrighted material will require the permission of the copyright owner. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. *********************************************************************** File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Darlene E. Kelley http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00026.html#0006374 August 11, 1999 *********************************************************************** Historical Collections of Ohio The Kelley Family Collections Newspaper article, Plains Dealer compiled by S.J. Kelley-- 1925 And Then They Went West by Darlene E. Kelley 1998 *********************************************************************** Part 2-- Settlement-- In the fall of the year 1816, Chauncey Woodruff and Wilder Lawrence, with their respective families, left Saratoga county, New York, for the wilderness of Ohio. After a tedious journey, they reached Trumbull county, where they rested until the severe months of winter had passed. Chauncey Woodruff and his son. George H.,came on to Norwich and selected lots for future homes. The son remained at New Haven while his father returned for the family. On the 8th of February, 1817, Woodruff and Lawrence arrived in New Haven; and, on the 10th, started , with their families, for Norwich. Accompanied b a few friends, they journeyed on, and before night arrived at the "village House" before mentioned. This consisted of but the walls and roof; holes had been cut for a door and fireplace. Oak puncheons had been prepared for a floor, and lay near by under the snow, which was by then about one foot deep. A few were soon fished out and placd in position and a fire started. Blankets were hung up for the door, and supper prepared, over which the company made merry. In laying in stores for the occasion, a jug of the "ardent" had been procured, and doubtless added much to the jollity of the evening within the cabin, while without the wolves made night hideous with their incessant howling. Lawrence and Woodruff remained at the village house until they cleared and planted a field of corn, on lot seven, and erected for themselves log houses. Mr Lawrence took up two hundred and twenty acres of land, in sections two and three. He built his house on lot thirty-three, in the former section,and upon these lands he died, January 8, 1847; his wife died five years later. The children were nine in number: Sarah, Maria, Wilder J.,Hiram, Susan and Lydia, all died. Ebenezer, married Clarinda Bly, and lived on the old homestead; had two children, a son and a daughter. Anna married Levi Reed, and lived in Reed township, Seneca county, Ohio; and Charolotte married Edward McGloan, and lived in Henry county, Ohio. Jesse Woodruff soon followed his brother, Chauncey, into the township, and began life in the widerness, erecting his log cabin on lot six, section three, which later was occupied by Lewis Bodlier. Chauncey Woodruff died in 1868. Naum Gilson came from Saratoga county, New York, to Norwich, in June 1817. Contracting for lot number twenty-eight, in section two, he began the construction of a hewed log house thereon. To obtain the necessary assistance at the "raising" settlers from the adjoining townships were invited. It is said that the rafters upon this house were the first raised in the township. After the house was finished, Mr Gilson cleared a piece of ground , which he sowed wheat, the first grown in the township. In the fall of 1818, Mr. Gison returned to his former home, in Saratoga county, where he soon married Miss Sally Ormes, formally of Massachusetts. Early in the following spring the journey to Ohio was begun. The mode of transit was the usual one of the period, a stout wagon, drawn by oxen and one horse. A long time was consumed on the road. The streams, swollen by the spring rains, were often impassable, or at best, forded with difficulty, rendering progress slow and full of danger. A brother, Asa, with wife and two children, formed a part of the company that finally reached Norwich, and became permanent settlers ad prominent actors in the pioneer life of the township. James Gilson, another brother, came on soon after. He settled on lot thirty-seven. In 1820, Joel Gilson, father of the above mentioned, arrived in Norwich. He had been for years a collector for the United States Government of comtinental money, and upon reaching Norwich, took up his abode on lot thirty-seven, afterwards owned by John S. Hestor. A son, John, accompanied him, and settled on lot twenty-seven, which later was owned by Wesly Robinson. Naum Gilson was ever interested in the welfare of the colony. He, on finding the first land contracts worthless, rode on horseback to Liverpool, Lorain county, to meet Coit, the real Proprietor. He was accompanied by Jesse Woodruff, and by their efforts, arrangements were consummated.whereby the settlers were allowed to re-purchase their farms at the old rate, (two dollars per acre) they losing, what they had paid before. Mr. Gilson was the first postmaster, and held that office for many years. Mr. Gilson died June 14, 1864, aged seventy-four, and Mrs. Gilson died March 2, 1876. The children are as follows: Giles James, who died young; Elon W., ex-treasurer of Huron county, who married Betsey M. McKelvey, resided at Norwalk; have two children: Azra B, who married Eliza Baker, of Medina County, and lived on the old homestead. His family consisted of one child, " little Dot", and a niece, Miss Ella S. Baker. The remaining children of Naum Gilson are: Sarah A., who married E. P Halliday, resided in Wood county, Ohio; Euginia M, who married Dr. Abram De Groff, and lived in Grand Ledge, Michigan, and Ardella A., who married S.W. Owen, and resided in Norwalk. *********************************************** Continued in part 3--