OHIO STATEWIDE FILES OH-FOOTSTEPS Mailing List *********************************************************************** USGENWEB NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. *********************************************************************** OH-FOOTSTEPS-D Digest Volume 99 : Issue 255 Today's Topics: #1 ...Then They Went West, Erie, KELL [Maggie Stewart-Zimmerman <73777.25] #2 ...Then They Went West, Erie, KELL [Maggie Stewart-Zimmerman <73777.25] #3 NEWSPAPER: by S. J. Kelley, 1925, [Maggie Stewart-Zimmerman <73777.25] ------------------------------ X-Message: #1 Date: Thu, 22 Apr 1999 20:41:55 -0400 From: Maggie Stewart-Zimmerman Subject: ...Then They Went West, Erie, KELLEY (2) Darlene E. Kelley http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00026.html#0006374 *********************************************** Historical Collections of Ohio The Kelley Family Book compiled by Hermon Alfred Kelley 1897 And Then They Went West by D. Kelley 1998 (Part 2) *********************************************** In 1833, Datus Kelley, in company with his brother Irad, visited Cunningham's, now Kelley's Island, on the solicitation of John W. Allen of Cleveland,Ohio, who represented General Simon Perkins, who was the agent of the Connecticut Land Company. He had been at Norwalk, Ohio, in an unsuccessful effort to sell a portion of Cunningham Island to Mr. Burr Higgins and Captain Juda Ransom of Sandusky. On his return to Cleveland he broached the subject to Irad Kelley. Irad considered the proposition favorably and immediately went to visit his brother Datus, and the two brothers visited the island on the 12th of July, 1833, to inspect it. It was probable that they interviewed Ellis, Clemons and others on the island, regarding their tenancy, and found that they made no claims of ownership and welcomed the coming of responsible men as the Kelleys were, and urged them to purchase the property and eject Napier, who had been conducting himself in a high-handed manner. The first purchase was the 1,444.92-acre holding of Joseph Perkins. It was for $2,167.38, or $1.50 per acre, in the form of a land contract dated August 20th,1833. It provided for the payment to made in four equal yearly installments; but Datus afterwards gave notes to Charles A.Olmsted of Conn. for the even sum of $2,000.00. Irad gave Datus proper security for his share of the indeptedness. From the foregoing seemingly contradictory records, which appear upon the record book of Erie County, we assume that the sale made to the Kelley brothers by General Perkins as attorney for the heirs of Joseph Perkins, was not altogether satisfactory to them and that Mr.Olmsted was sent out west to make a different arrangement. He visited Datus at his home in Rockport, where these notes were signed. He visited the island also and it was at that time he discovered the so-called "inscription Rock". Another case of apparent repudiation of Genenral Perkins' action is that of the Uriah Tracey heirs, who gave mortgage on their island lots to Jonathan G.W. Trumbull in 1838, almost two years after General Pekins had sold the property to the Kelley brothers. The deeds for the Joseph Perkins property on the island were not given to Datus and Irad Kelley until May 17th, 1842. At that time, the heirs petitioned the court for permission to execute the contract made previously, by making and delivering a good and sufficent deed dated back to September 23rd, 1836. The petition said, " The said Datus and Irad Kelley stood ready to pay all residue not heretofore paid." It was so ordered by the court. It was after this date the brothers gave their deeds to such as had previously acquired land from them on contracts, that was located in lots formerly owned by Joseph Pekins. They got deeds in 1833 and 1834 for 580 acres, for which they paid cash, and in 1835 they bought 240 acres of Wm. Edridge for cash; the Uriah Tracy property, 444 acres, was acquired in 1836. The records of the transactions are as follows: ***************** Aug. 20, 1833, from Gen. S. Perkins, Attorney for Joseph Perkins, 1,444.92 acres at $1.50. $2,167.38. Sept 9th.1833, from George Swift, heir of Oliver Kinsman, 119.25 acres at $1.60. $200.00. Aug.21, 1833 Jabes Adams, 25.25 acres at $3.21, $94.18. Sept.18th,1833, from Richard Coit 309.25 acres at $1.61, $500.00. Feb 17,1834, from Daniel Tilden's heirs, 117.25 acres at $1.68, $ 200.00. Sept.3,1834, from John McClellan. 9. acres at $5.00, $45.00. Aug 12,1835, from Wm Eldridge, 241 acres at $2.50, $602.50. Aug 31,1836, from Uriah Tracy heirs by Gen Simon Perkins, Atty.,444 acres, $1.50.,$666.00. This made the totals as 2,709.92 acres for the price of $4,475.06. This accounted for all the acreage except 91 ares in lot No. 1 owned by Richard Coit, which was acquired later. After the first or original purchase, Irad Kelley went to New York City, leaving Datus to look after the management of the island. In 1837 Datus removed his family to the island, of which he remained a resident until his death which occurred on January 24, 1866. ------------------------------ X-Message: #2 Date: Thu, 22 Apr 1999 20:42:01 -0400 From: Maggie Stewart-Zimmerman Subject: ...Then They Went West, Erie, KELLEY (3) Darlene E. Kelley http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00026.html#0006374 *********************************************************************** Historical Collections of Ohio The Kelley Family Book compiled by Hermon Alfred Kelley 1897 And Then They Went West by D. Kelley 1998 (Part 3) *********************************************** During the fall of the year 1833, was erected a double log house, used for a boarding house, which stood upon the bank immediately in front of the site of "Island House' at Kelleys Island. Mr.Luther Dodge, with his family, occupied the boarding house upon its completion, he having been appointed superintendent of the interests of the Messrs. Kelley, and having moved to the island a short time previously. During the winter of this year, the present wood dock was commenced, and enough completed to afford a landing for steamboats, which,in the following spring, commenced "wooding" therefrom. During the year following, Julius Kelley, son of Datus, was in charge, and was succeeded by his brother Addison,who, from that date until the removal to the island of Datus and his family, in 1836, remained in charge of the business of the firm. A short time after the building of the south side wood dock, was built a stone dock at the north side, and a few years subsequently, by Horace Kelley, the dock that was owned by Charles Carpenter. At this date, and up to the winter of 1837-8, the island constituted a portion of Danbury, and was included within the limits of Huron county. During the winter of 1837-8, was created the county of Erie, and the island, as a part of Danbury township, was set off into that county.. On the 21st of January,1840, in accordance with the prayer of a petition to the legislature to that effect, it was enacted that all that tract of land and territory of land known as Cunningham's Island, situated on the south side of Lake Erie, within the county of Erie, be and the same is, hereby constituted a township to be known and distinguished as the township of Kelley's Island." By section second of the same act, the islands, known as the Bass Islands, were constituted a township called Van Rensalaer, in the said county of Erie. On the 6th of March, 1840, was passed the act creating the county of Ottawa, which county included within its boundaries the new island townships of Kelley's Island and Van Rensalaer. The first election for organization as the township of Kelley's Island, was held on "the first Monday in April, " 1840. The total number of votes polled was 15. Chester Stocking, Walter Beardsley and Ephraim T. Smith were appointed judges, and George C. Huntington and Addison Kelley, clerks. Addison Kelley, Oliver Emory and Walter Beardsley were elected trustees; Horace Kelley, treasurer: Datus Kelley, clerk: John Titus and Hezekiah Bickford, overseers of the poor: Chester Stocking,George Wires and Henry Provast, fence viewers; Joseph Willet, constable; Henry Harris, supervisor of Highways. George C. Huntington was elected justice of the peace, his bonds being filed and accepted on the 8th of June following. In May, 1840, " An election was also held for County of Ottawa, and the returns duly made to the temporary seat of Justice at Port Clinton." As the population of the island increased, and as its business connections, from its geographical position, were entirely wth Sandusky (nothing but legal, township, and jury matters calling the inhabitants to Port Clinton ), its poitical connection with Ottawa county became very irksome, and determination was formed to effect a separation therefrom, and a reinstatement as a township of Erie county. A petition was therefore, presented to the legislature to that effect, and in Februrary,1845, was passed an act which " set off that tract, and territory of land known as Kelley's Island into the county of Erie." Thus , within the space of some seven years , the island formed a component part of two townships and four counties, and it is remarked " that of four children of Addison Kelley, born in the same house, no two were natives of the same township and county." ------------------------------ X-Message: #3 Date: Thu, 22 Apr 1999 20:59:41 -0400 From: Maggie Stewart-Zimmerman Subject: NEWSPAPER: by S. J. Kelley, 1925, Erie Darlene E. Kelley http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00026.html#0006374 *********************************************************************** Newspaper Article From the Plains Dealer 1925 written by S. J. Kelly *********************************************** Ice bound in winter but in summer deep in its forests of Cedar, Kelleys Island in the early days was a haunt of outlaws. Trader Cunningham, the first white man on the island, moved there in 1808 when only an occasional vessel beat its way along the northern horizon while through South Pass, at long intervals, sailed a schooner bound in or out of the small port of Sandusky. With its rocky shores, broken by deep coves and wide beaches bordered with woods, it was an inviting spot for the lawless. From ancient times it was a camping place for Indians who found in the surrounding lake and passes an unequaled fishing ground. Some remained throughout the year. Cunningham built a cabin for his trading and Indians exchanged maple sugar, pelts and furs for blankets, beads, trinkets and whiskey. He sat besides their camp fires, smoked pipes and carried on a successful business until his fight with the red men. His escape to the mainland and his death have been told--. In 1810,two Frenchmen, Poschile and Bebo, made clearings and built cabins. Both left in 1812 and the latter was captured by the Indians in the war. Perry's navel victory ended the supremacy of Indians and British on the lake and a small colony established themselves on what was still called Cunningham's Island.-- In 1818, a man named Killam with one or two others started a wood yard there to supply the Walk-in-the-Water with cedar logs for fuel. The steamer was wrecked in March, 1821, and soon after Killam left with his family and helpers. For six years the island was the resort of lawless men and squatters. Two of these, Barnum and Grummets became involved in a feud over cedar wood. Barnum shot Grummets and testified that he set his body afloat in a skiff.---In 1826, Elssha Ellis settled on the island. He was followed by Ilam Beardsley. Peter Shook arrived. The first two remained and built cabins of cedar. Lawless ruffians continued to haunt the place and quarrels were frequent. Henry Ellithorpe, his wife, and three other families of honest settlers were living there by 1830. Cunningham's Island was part of the Connecticut Land Companys purchase of the Western Reserve and much of it was owned by Gen. Simon Perkins of Warren.---In April,1833, the greatest outlaw in history of the island arrived. This was Benjamin A. Napier, a gigantic ruffian more than six feet tall and powerfully built. Commanding a rakish schooner with a crew of six armed men as forbidding as himself, he landed at the south wharf. His first move was to announce himself as owner of Cunningham's Island. He commanded all to leave or be ejected by force. His ferocious appearance and threats intimadated the islanders and no resistance was offered.---Napier took possession of the Ellis cabin as headquarters for his outlaw crew. He herded their cattle from the " free commons" on the island to pastures near his stolen home. From trees he shot the settlers pigs roaming in the woods. From the islanders stock of provisions, he took what he wanted.--The pioneers had no real title to the land. Ignorant as to Napiers rights,they were powerless to legally remove him. News of his high-handed proceedings reached Cleveland and Warren. In June,1883, a conference of the agents of the owners of Cunningham's Island was held at Norwalk. John W. Allen of Cleveland attended as agent. He returned to this city and persuaded Datus and Irad Kelley to purchase almost half of the outlaw ridden island.--The next step of the Kelley brothers was to buy the land around the cabin occupied by Napier with all rights to improvements from Ellis,who had built the log house. Then they legally ejected Napier,who had armed himself and resisted.---Long litigation followed. Every title was aired and it showed that he had no claim or a shadow of an equity to any of the island. Still he hung around and committed lawless acts, until arrested as a criminal.--Convicted and with a term of imprisonment hanging over him he left and was never seen again. -------------------------------- End of OH-FOOTSTEPS-D Digest V99 Issue #255 *******************************************