Williams-Richland-Belmont County OhArchives Biographies.....Waterston, Alexander March 8, 1805 - March 12, 1875
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Barbara Bradley splash777@webtv.net December 1, 2007, 8:44 pm

Author: Simon Waterston,his son

  Alexander Waterston was born in Dalkeith, Scotland, March 6, 1805.  He received an
education by attending night school.  He worked with his granfather and learned the
tanner trade which he did not like.  When of age he went to the city of Edinburgh,
Scotland where he became a baker, a trade he much preferred.  He was a member of the
Presbyterian Church, was a staunch Republican, as were all his sons.  Alexander
married Janet Forest on August of 1829 in Penicuik, Scotland.  Simon Waterston II
was born in Edinburh, Scotland on May 30, 1830.  In the summer of 1831 Alexander and
his uncle, Abraham Thorborne, set sail for the United States of America, hoping to
make homes for themselves and their families.  They arrived at Wheeling, Virginia in
the fall of 1831 and there found a sister and aunt, Belle and Gorden.  They were so
please with the country they sent for their families to join them in the summer of
1832.  They rented a large farm in Belmont county, Ohio (on Scotch Ridge).  Here
Alexander Waterston and family livedfor a number of years.  While living in Belmont
county, four sons were born; Thoas, James, David and William.  In the fall of 1841
they moved their family to Richland County (Adario Township) having bought an 80
acre farm some time before.  Here they resided until the fall of 1853.  Two
daughters were born in Richland County; Mary and Elizabeth.  They sold out and moved
to Williams County where Alexander had bought 240 acres in Section 28, Bridgewater
Township.  They arrived on Sept. 3, 1853 to a one room log cabin which had no doors,
windows or floor and which was situated in an almost unbroken forest, a mile from
any neighbors and no road leading to it, just a trail made by the brothers, who had
arrived two weeks before by wagon.   SimonWaterston II their eldest son, met them at
Hillsdle, Michigan with an ox team and wagon and escorted them to their new home. 
It was a long tedious ride, the road being rough and hilly most of the way.  Janet
(Alexander's wife) kept up gravely until they reached Bridgewater Center for the
last mile of their journey.  All wre weary.  The forest was ot inviting, no houses
on the way, all making a dismal picture for a home.  They wre greeted by the four
sons.  Thomas was down in a deep hole where they hoped to find water.  Their efforts
wre successful, yet it was several weeks before the well was completed.  Water for
drinking and cooking was carried from a spring by the river, one half ile north. 
Thre was nothing to fear except snakes, of which there were plenty, black spotted
redbelly massasaugas (a small rattle snake), rattlers, blue racers and other small
snakes which were harmless.  There was plenty of game; deer, turkey, rabbits,
oposums, raccoon and porcupine.  With the help of a good dog "Rover", the boys did a
good job of supplying meat for the table.  Soon the cabin was enlarged by an
addition on the west side of the structure with space between them which was used
for a kitchen, making three good sized rooms.  The second floor had two rooms for
sleeping. A ean-to was added.  This served as a pantry.  In a few years there was a
large clearing and the family began to live comfortably.  Every year new families
moved in.  The road to Bridgewater was soon dotted with houses, no more were they
lonesome.  Because of the additional families, a school house was built and was
called the Waterston School.  The family attended the Eagle Creek Presbyterian
Church, four miles south and two miles west.  The family lived on the homestead and
the children soon had homes of their own and settled nearby.  Alexander was buried
at Cogswell Cemetery in Bridgewater, (Williams county) Ohio.
  -- The aove was information written by Alexander and Janet's eldest son, Simon
Waterston II in his journal.

Additional Comments:
Alexander and Janet's children were:
Simon Waterston II
Alexander Waterston
Thomas F. Waterston
Jannet Waterston
James F. Waterston I
David G. Waterston
William T.S. Waterston
Wallace G. Waterston
Mary Ann Waterston
Benjamin M. Waterston
Elizabeth Victoria Waterston

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