PORTAGE COUNTY OHIO - HISTORY: RAVENNA  (additional)
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by
Betty Ralph
bralph@HiWAAY.net
March 18, 1999
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About a year ago I transcribed numerous articles on Cuyahoga and Portage
counties, OH, from "Memorial to the Pioneer Women of the Western Reserve"
published under the auspices of the Woman's Department of the Cleveland
Centennial Commission in 1896, edited by Mrs. Gertrude Van Rensselaer
Wickham.  The articles contain many details about the lives of the early
settlers. 
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                 RAVENNA  (additional)

In 1801 John WARD, with his wife, Agnes (DUFFIELD) WARD, 
moved to Ohio from West Moreland County, Penn., they 
located first on the ELY farm in Rootstown, near the 
Ravenna line, and afterward in the village of Ravenna.  
An incident in the life of Mrs. WARD, which is familiar 
to many Ravenna people, may bear repeating.

Mrs. WARD wandered a long time through the unbroken 
forest searching for her cows before she heard the tinkle 
of their bells.  Following this lead she discovered, not 
only the lost cows, but also a beautiful sheet of water.  
She reported the discovery and the lake was named in her 
honor Mother Ward’s Pond.  It retained this name until a 
few years ago, when on account of the purity of its water 
it was selected as the reservoir of Ravenna’s water 
supply and re-christened "Crystal Lake."

In 1802 David JENNINGS, with his wife Hannah (WELLMAN) 
JENNINGS, and their three sons, aged six, four and two 
years, emigrated to Ohio and settled in Ravenna Township.

Mrs. JENNINGS, making her home in the then unbroken 
wilderness, endured the many hardships of pioneer life.

Surrounded as she was by the dense forests, with plenty 
of wild animals and Indians near, she had to exercise 
great courage for herself and her children.  Especially 
would this be necessary when her husband was absent from 
home as he was sometimes obliged to be, since many 
household supplies must be brought from Pennsylvania.

The Indians liked to take advantage of her when they came 
to buy corn.  If she took up a short ear, they would 
place another on the end of it, and she dare not object, 
they, knowing her fear, would laugh among themselves and 
say, "that squaw is shy, shy."

Mrs. JENNINGS had six children whom she took great pride 
in training to be useful, respected citizens.  She died 
in 1840.

Hannah H., daughter of Mrs. David JENNINGS was born in 
Ravenna in 1804 and was married to Schuyler CUTLER in 
1822.

Mrs. CUTLER lived with her husband on a farm on the west 
line of the township where she died in 1835.  She was the 
mother of six children.  One of her daughters, Mrs. John 
DODGE, and a granddaughter, Mrs. J.H. FURRY, are residing 
in our little city.

In 1815 Elliot RAWSON came from Franklin County, Mass. 
And located on a tract of land one mile west of the court 
house.

His family consisted of a daughter and a son, with a 
second wife (Hannah WILLIAMS, sister of his first wife) 
whom he had married but a short time before.

The daughter, Hannah, a girl of seven, was bright and 
active, and although deprived of the many advantages she 
had in her eastern home, yet as she grew to womanhood, 
she made the most of what knowledge she could obtain from 
the limited means within her reach.

Her father died when she was but a little over sixteen, 
which threw a great deal of responsibility upon her since 
her step-mother’s health was far from good.

In the year of 1825, one month before she was seventeen 
she became Mrs. David JENNINGS, Jr.

She was a bright woman with great energy of character, 
never shirking any hardships which duty placed in her 
way.  Her heart and home were always open, strangers and 
friends finding a welcome at all times, while a call from 
the sick or suffering was never unheeded.

In 1832 Elizabeth KNOWLTON came to Ravenna from Kennebec, 
Me., where she was born in 1813.

In 1833 she and Lewis JENNINGS were married and resided 
on the homestead with his parents.  Although she did not 
have to endure the privations of the very early pioneer 
life, yet she has seen many changes in both city and 
country.  Seven of her twelve children lived to maturity.  
Four of her daughters reside in Ravenna, three at the old 
home, and one, Mrs. M. GLEDHILL, in the village.  Mrs. 
JENNINGS died in 1895, on the farm where she and her 
husband first lived, where his father reclaimed the land 
from an unbroken forest.

Miss Nancy A. SAPP was born in Maryland in 1810, and was 
married to Squire L. JENNINGS in 1833.  At the time of 
her marriage she was living with her parents in 
Rootstown.  The delightful air of hospitality which 
pervaded her home and her many, many kindly deeds are 
held in grateful memory by her friends.  She had two 
children, a son, and a daughter, Ann Janette, who married 
Lorenzo BOSWORTH.

Betsey TROWBRIDGE was born in Franklin County, Mass. In 
January 1785.  In 1807 she was united in marriage with 
Joseph TORRY.  In 1816 they with their young family left 
their native hills and came to Ravenna.  She endeavored, 
in spite of difficulties to give her children all 
possible advantages of education and refinement that 
could be obtained.  She was well informed on current 
events, and having a fine memory, could have given a good 
history of Ravenna during nearly seventy years of its 
growth.

To show how well her mind was preserved, we will by 
permission, give an extract from a letter to a friend 
written soon after the death of his wife.  Mrs. TORRY was 
then ninety-eight years old.  After expressing deep 
sympathy for him in the loss of so dear a friend, she 
says, "After severe suffering she has left her frail 
casket; her mortal has put on immortality, she has bade 
her friends and all the glittering toys of earth adieu, 
and has ascended up through the ethereal blue to mansions 
of the blest."

The winter before Mrs. TORRY’s death, which occurred in 
Cleveland at the age of ninety-nine years, she cut and 
sewed rags enough to make a carpet, which shows that she 
was physically as well as mentally vigorous.

Hannah TAYLOR was born in Franklin County, Mass. In 1788.  
Her parents moved to Phelps, N.Y., where in 1810 she was 
married to James T. TROWBRIDGE.  In 1833 they came to 
Ravenna with their family.  She was a domestic woman, 
seldom leaving home, but her friends were warmly welcomed 
to her own fireside.  Her three daughters lie in Maple 
Grove cemetery, Adaline, unmarried, Mrs. Wm. BOND and 
Mrs. Samuel BLOOMER.

Sally BLAKELY was born in Genoa, N.Y. in January, 1797.  
She was married to Daniel TROWBRIDGE in Phelps, N.Y. in 
1818, and they in 1833 removed with their family of eight 
children to Ravenna.  To them were born in Ohio three 
more children and only one of the eight daughters and 
three sons is now living in Ravenna.  This daughter, Mrs. 
A.J. JENNINGS is residing on the farm where she and her 
husband first went to housekeeping, the farm on which Mr. 
JENNINGS was born.  Mrs. JENNINGS wields a very facile 
pen and has kindly furnished the items for the JENNINGS, 
TROWBRIDGE and RAWSON families.

Four daughters of Mrs. TROWBRIDGE live in Cleveland, and 
one in Michigan.  One of the daughters, Percy, is a 
successful teacher in the Cleveland Central High School

Mrs. TROWBRIDGE retained the vigor of her mind until the 
time of her death, which occurred in Hudson at the age of 
ninety years.

Sally RAWSON was born in Ravenna in 1816, and was married 
to N.D. CLARK in 1834.  Her entire life was spent in this 
place where her death occurred in 1889.  Mrs. CLARK had 
two daughters, both of whom preceded her to the world 
beyond.  She was a genial, pleasant woman with a warm 
heart for all, especially the sick and needy.  Mrs. CLARK 
loved society and so long as she was able, her home was 
open for the entertainment of friends.

Czarina RAWSON was born in Ravenna in 1820 and married 
Geo. HARPER in 1844.  Mrs. HARPER still lives in Ravenna 
where the most of her life has been spent.  Her memory 
being good, she has many entertaining reminiscences of 
the early days of our town.

Mary ABEL was born in 1770, and about the year 1803 came 
from Kent, Conn. With her husband, Moses SMITH, and their 
two daughters, to make their home in Ohio.

Mrs. Joel THOMPSON of  Waterloo, Ind. says:  "My 
grandmother, Mary SMITH was prompt and methodical in all 
things.  In common with nearly everyone she worked up 
wool and flax to clothe her family.  She would commence 
the work as soon as the sheep were sheared in the spring, 
and before winter the wool would be made into blankets 
and clothing for her family, with extra for possible 
needy ones.  Her life was filled with a continuous round 
of home duties, and can only be of interest from a 
historical standpoint since it is representative of the 
lives of hundreds and thousands of noble women who laid 
the firm foundation for the beautiful superstructure 
which the women of today are raising

"My mother, Samantha SMITH" (Mrs. Richard McBRIDE), 
continues Mrs. THOMPSON, "had for a pet a young deer 
which she kept for some time, but it became so 
mischievous that grandfather was obliged to kill it.

"The school mother attended was, I think, the second one 
opened in the village and was taught by Miss Achsah 
EGGLESTON of Aurora.  The building was a tiny log cabin 
with oiled paper for windows.  Turkey quills supplied the 
pens, and puncheon boards laid on pegs in the wall were 
used for desks.

"Within a few years after her marriage to Richard 
McBRIDE they moved to Indiana where they spent the 
remainder of their lives."

In the year 1812 Mrs. (Gen.) Samuel D. HARRIS, Sr. (Lucy 
S. KENT) came on horseback from her home in Middletown, 
Conn., carrying her baby Lucia in her arms.  Mrs. HARRIS 
was not only intellectual and cultured, but was also an 
expert needle woman.  One triumph of her skill was the 
making for her husband of one dozen ruffled cambric 
shirts with one needle.  A specimen of her work which is 
still in the family is a table cloth of fine, beautiful 
linen.

Her daughter Lucia grew to womanhood in Ravenna, and was 
married to John GILLIS of the firm of Gillis & Prentiss.  
Those who knew Mrs. GILLIS remember her as a beautiful 
woman.  She was especially fond of music and art, poetry 
and flowers.  During her life she made a valuable 
collection of gems of poetry.  Only one of her seven 
children is now living in Ravenna, Mrs. (Judge) Geo. F. 
ROBINSON.

Mrs. S.D. HARRIS, Jr. (Joanna DOTY) came from Sharon, 
Conn. In 1837 and is still living in this place, a 
beautiful example of loving, cheerful devotion to 
husband, family and friends.  Her love of flowers and her 
success in their culture is only one of her many charming 
traits of character.

In 1811 Miss Pamelia LEWIS, a native of Farmington, Conn. 
Was married to Zenas KENT.  The father of Miss LEWIS was 
a Revolutionary veteran and also a carpenter and joiner, 
as were also both her husband and his father.

Mrs. KENT was a charming woman and one who possessed rare 
tact in the management of household and family affairs.  
She was mother of thirteen children, ten of whom lived to 
maturity and are known as men and women of spotless 
integrity.

The eldest daughter, Harriet KENT, married Charles CLAPP, 
then a merchant of Ravenna.  Some years after their 
marriage, Mr. CLAPP becoming convinced that the Shaker 
faith was the only right one, made suitable provision for 
his wife and family, and joining that peculiar sect, 
became their Shaker Elder, while his wife subsequently 
settled in New York city.  Of her he said to a friend but 
a short time before his death in 1891 or 1892, "I would 
not have you think it was for any fault of her who was my 
wife, that I did as I did.  She was without a fault."

Mrs. KENT’s son, Marion KENT, is well known in business 
circles throughout the country, his chief enterprise 
being the inauguration and completion of the A. & 
G.W.R.R. (now the Erie) through the state of Ohio.

Her four younger daughters who lived to maturity were 
Eliza A., who became the wife of John POAG, a merchant of 
New York city.  Emily was married to R.B. DENNIS, Esq. Of 
Cleveland; Francis became Mrs. Geo. W. WELLS and Amelia, 
Mrs. J.W. SHIVELY who was a surgeon in the U.S. army 
during the war of the Rebellion, now residing in 
Washington, D.C.

Maria L. JOHNSON was born in Mifflin, Penn. 1810.  Her 
parents removed to Lancaster, O., where in 1831 she was 
married to Geo. E. ROBINSON.  In 1835 Mr. and Mrs. 
ROBINSON, with their baby boy, Alfred, moved to Ravenna.  
Mrs. ROBINSON was domestic in her tastes and very 
benevolent, eminently a keeper at home.  But she was a 
typical pioneer woman, in the sense of being always ready 
to undertake any duty which came to her.  Mr. ROBINSON’s 
business took him often from home, but his wife was 
entirely capable of carrying on the home both outdoors 
and in the house.  She was a fearless house woman, and 
beside her many beautiful womanly traits possessed a 
talent for business which served her well, when as 
circumstances sometimes made it desirable, she bought or 
sold stock in her husband’s absence.  Mrs. ROBINSON had 
eight children.  Her son Henry was the first soldier from 
Ravenna to lay down his life in the late war.  Another 
son, Judge Geo. F. ROBINSON was captain in the army and 
was confined for months in Libby prison.

Three of the four daughters are living in this place, 
Emily, Mrs. H.W. RIDDLE; Elizabeth, Mrs. (General) T.F. 
WILDE, and Miss Franc ROBINSON.  The youngest daughter, 
Mrs. A.E. HERMANN, resides in Terre Haute, Ind.

Huldah OVIATT, who came to Ravenna from Goshen, Conn. Was 
first married to a son of David HUDSON, the founder of 
Hudson, O.  After the death of Mr. HUDSON, she was 
married to Darius LYMAN, who was at one time candidate 
for governor of Ohio.

Mrs. LYMAN had one daughter, Laura, married to W.S.C. 
OTIS.  Mr. OTIS was at the time of his marriage a lawyer 
in Ravenna.  They removed from here to Akron and finally 
to Cleveland, where Mrs. OTIS still lives.

The marriage of Miss LYMAN to Mr. OTIS was the first 
ceremony of the kind performed by the Rev. E.E. ATWATER.  
During his pastorate here, Rev. ATWATER was himself 
married to Miss Rebecca DANNA of New Haven, Conn.

Mrs. LYMAN died in 1832 and Mr. LYMAN’s second marriage 
was to Mrs. Hiram WALBRIDGE (whose maiden name was Lucy 
Ann ROSE) of Canaan, Conn.  Two more daughters came to 
the home, Mary LYMAN (HOOD) and Anna LYMAN (WOODWORTH), 
both of whom reside in California.

Polly BURROUGHS came from Vermont to Ohio about the year 
1825.  She was married to Mr. Wm. COOLMAN, proprietor of 
the Globe Tavern, which stood on the site of the present 
Etna House.  Mr. COOLMAN was occupied much of his time at 
the courthouse, and in consequence the management of the 
hotel fell largely to Mrs. COOLMAN.  She is remembered as 
a woman with a marvelous capacity for work and a model 
housekeeper.  Some of the beautiful cut glass decanters 
and glasses which were used in their hotel are still in 
possession of the family.

Nor did Mrs. COOLMAN allow her household duties to 
entirely engross her mind, for she was a leader in social 
and intellectual circles.  There were three sons and two 
daughters in the family.  Her daughter Amelia was first 
married to Thomas BURGESS, and after his death to John G. 
McBRIDE.

Augusta COOLMAN was born in 1820.  From her mother she 
inherited a talent for work and unlimited energy.  She 
was married to H.Y. BEEBE, and with her husband went to 
keeping house in the residence which is still standing on 
the northeast corner of Cleveland Ave. and Main St.  The 
building had been erected for a store and was not yet 
completed when they first occupied it, but with their 
push and perseverance it was converted into a beautiful 
home.

Mrs. BEEBE had a very fine voice, and for many years sang 
in the Universalist choir of this place.  She was also an 
invaluable member of the aid society, and was the one 
upon whom they depended to cut all the garments which 
they made.

Mrs. Camilla (KING) HARMON, wife of Orrin HARMON was the 
eldest of eleven children of Dr. Robert KING, who settled 
in Charleston, Portage County in 1826.  She was born in 
Sandisfield, Mass. 1802, came to Portage County with her 
father and was married to Orrin HARMON at Ravenna, 
September, 1832.  One time in welcoming a new neighbor, 
Mrs. HARMON said, "I’m very glad you are to be near us, 
but I don’t go out very much and I probably won’t come to 
see you unless you are sick, then I’ll come."  That was 
the keynote of her life; devotion to home and untiring 
ministrations to the sick and needy were her dearest 
joys.  The memory of this quiet, unassuming, little woman 
is fragrant in the hearts of all who knew her.

Mrs. Perry Hazard BABCOCK (Cynthia HICKOCKS) came to 
Ravenna in 1818 from Granville, Mass.  Mrs. BABCOCK was 
an intrepid horseback rider, and with her husband was 
accustomed to ride fifty miles over the hills from 
Granville to visit their relative, Oliver Hazard PERRY, 
afterward Commodore PERRY.  She was a tireless knitter, 
one of her best pieces of work being a beautiful white 
quilt.  Another kind of handiwork in which she excelled 
was embroidery and her bed curtains were wrought with her 
own swift flying needle.

Mrs. BABCOCK had four sons and two daughters, all of whom 
settled in Ravenna.

Mary COLLINS came to this place as a teacher in 1811 from 
Hartford, Conn.  She became acquainted with Almon BABCOCK 
who came to Portage County in 1810, the eldest son of 
Mrs. Perry H. BABCOCK, and they were married at her 
father’s home in Rootstown, Christmas day, 1814.  During 
the following year they erected the first brick house in 
this place (which was the second in the county) for a 
hotel, on the ground now occupied by the Opera House.

Her wedding gown was of white cambric, beautifully 
embroidered by her own hands.  Among her many lovely 
traits of character she possessed the qualifications of 
an excellent nurse, and was sent for from far and wide to 
help neighbors and friends in distress.

There were six children born to them, Perry H., who is a 
well known business man in Cleveland, being the eldest, 
Miss Mary Ann BABCOCK lives with her brother Albert, 
south of Ravenna.  She is a charming conversationalist 
and has a great fund of reminiscence.  From her was 
obtained much of the information concerning the family.

Mrs. Edmond BABCOCK (Laura BATES) came to this place in 
1820 from Granville, Mass.  They were six weeks coming 
from their home to Buffalo.  Here they left their teams 
and boarded a scow which was to take them across the lake 
to Cleveland.  Five times they were driven back by 
storms.  When Cleveland was finally reached they were 
unable to bring their clumsy craft to the shore with 
safety.  It was anchored some distance out in the lake, 
and Mr. BABCOCK swam back and forth between the boat and 
the shore and thus landed wife and babies and provisions.

Three of her daughters, Corinthia, Mrs. Julius HOTCHKISS 
(afterward Mrs. McCLUNN); Betsey, Mrs. Nelson WARD, and 
Eliza, Mrs. Lawrence COOLMAN, settled in Ravenna.

Harriet, Mrs. CARRINGTON went to Alliance, and Sarah, 
Mrs. WILLIAMSON, removed to Wisconsin.

Mrs. Ethan BABCOCK (Harriet ROBINSON) is still living at 
her home north of town, where she first went as a bride.  
Mrs. BABCOCK is a loved and honored member of the 
Methodist church, a blessing wherever she is.

Mrs. Dr. DeWOLF (Eunice GOODRICH) was a life friend of 
Mrs. Almon BABCOCK, and was married at about the same 
time.  She was pleasant, social and unusually keen 
witted.  Her manner of relating bright, humorous 
anecdotes was inimitable, and no company of which she was 
a member could be dull.

Mrs. Dr. Lyman COLLINS (Lucy WHITTLESY) came from 
Canfield, O. in 1838.  One of the pleasant things for 
which she is remembered in Ravenna is the active part 
which she took in the Congregational church of this city.

One of the early pioneer women was Mrs. Wm. TAPPAN who 
was a miss PATTISON.  Mrs. TAPPAN was very highly 
educated and the people of this western town were 
inclined to stand in awe of her superior accomplishments, 
but they soon found that they only made her the more 
charming.  She was very brave under the many trials which 
came to her and is held in loving remembrance by many 
Ravennians.

About the year 1838, Cottage Hill, now owned by D.R. 
HANNA of Cleveland, was purchased from Wm. STODDARD by a 
Mr. CURTIS of New York city.

Mr. and Mrs. CURTIS started with their two daughters and 
their household goods for their new home.  Mr. CURTIS was 
taken ill and died during their journey.  Mrs. CURTIS and 
the daughters continued on their way sorrowing.  The 
elder daughter became the wife of John M. HOOD, and the 
younger daughter, Ellen, the wife of his brother, Robert 
HOOD.

Mr. Robert HOOD was occupied in some position which 
required his presence in the Manila Islands.  From here 
he sent to his fiancee many gifts of beautiful foreign 
good, among them being shawls of fine crepe "like 
crinkled cream on scalded milk."  After her marriage, 
Mrs. HOOD went with her husband to Manila Islands, but 
she could not endure the climate and died in a short 
time.  On the stone which marks her resting place in 
Maple Grove are inscribed the following lines:  "Her 
remains were brought from far o’er the seas to rest 
beside her kindred in her native land."

Mrs. John KING (Polly BLACK) came from Charleston, O. in 
1815.  Miss BLACK’s sister, Betsey, married Mr. KING’s 
brother, William, and both were valued members in the 
village.  Mrs. Polly KING’s daughter, Elizabeth R. KING 
was married to Wm. WADSWORTH.  Mrs. WADSWORTH was a 
lovely Christian woman, and so long as health permitted 
was a regular attendant at the Methodist church.

Only one of the four children is now living in Ravenna, 
Mrs. John HART.

In 1828 Judge Ira SELBY came from Canandaigua, N.Y., with 
his wife Alice (GIDDINGS) SELBY, and his family.  Hon. 
Ira SELBY was a man prominent in public affairs, both in 
Portage County and in the place in New York from which 
they came, and Mrs. SELBY was eminently fitted to be a 
help meet to him.  Their daughter, Henrietta SELBY, 
married James BARKER, and is remembered with the deepest 
love and respect by her daughter, Mrs. John BRIGHAM, who 
is the only one of her children living in Ravenna.

Another daughter, Caroline SELBY, became Mrs. John 
Berkeley KING.  Mrs. KING is considered now to have had 
great artistic ability, and although pioneer life did not 
offer conditions favorable for its development, there are 
among the family treasures some of her drawings which 
show marked talent.

Edmond BOSTWICK and his wife, Mercy, came from Vermont in 
1818.  Mrs. BOSTWICK died in 1823, aged eighty-nine 
years.  There were twelve children in the family, eleven 
sons and one daughter.  The daughter Lucy died in 
Vermont.

The following sketch was very kindly furnished by E.P. 
BRAINARD, for fifty years a resident of Ravenna, a man 
widely known for his broad views and advanced opinions.

"In the spring of 1810, Mrs. Mary McKENZIE MASON came 
with her husband Jared MASON and her four children from 
Beaver, Penn., and settled in Ravenna.

"Her husband sunk vats and established a tannery east of 
the courthouse, where the Gretzinger Block now stands.  
Mrs. MASON’s husband died 1813.  The widow continued to 
run the tannery, employing John F. WELLS and Jesse R. 
GRANT, father of U.S. GRANT, to work out the stock.  
Later she married J.F. WELLS, and sold out the tannery to 
GRANT, who carried it on till 1819, but failing to meet 
his obligations, the tannery reverted, and was taken back 
and GRANT left Ravenna.

"By her second husband Mrs. WELLS became the mother of 
two daughters and one son.  The eldest daughter married 
E.P. BRAINARD, the youngest, John B. KING, Jr., and Benj. 
J., the son married Miss Hannah DOTY.

"In all that tends to make up Christian character, pure 
and noble womanhood, Mrs. WELLS approached a model.  Her 
kind, sympathetic, affectionate disposition and ways, won 
for her the love and esteem of all who knew her.

"February 1839, at the age of fifty-five, her useful and 
well ordered life terminated and she was summoned to 
answer the last roll call on the other shore, leaving 
behind her a memory fragrant with the virtues that adorn 
the character of a faithful wife and mother."

     Mrs. Emily D. McBRIDE
          Historian