Gazetteer of the state of Michigan, in three parts ... with a succinct history of the state, from the earliest period to the present time ... with an appendix, containing the usual statistical tables, and a directory for emigrants, &c

Front matter

Class lU^iJo^ Book-E^SX

STATE OF MICHIGAN,

THREE PARTS, X^*"

Introduction

It is conceived that the custom almost universal with authors, of apolcizing for their productions on presenting them to the public, had its origm in a morbid delicacy, which has established an etiquette, savornig, in a majority of cases, more of affectation, than a rational regard to propriety. With every deference which the antiquity of the custom may require of him, the author of the following pages begs leave respectfully to decline the observance of a usage, having no more worthy sanctions to recommend it. For, if his production is possessed of any merit or value, it needs no apology ; but, on the contrary, if it is devoid of these qualities, any apology forlts production, he might offer, would be unavaiUng, and the sooner it is merged in obscurity the better. But of one thmg, the author solicits the indulgence of the laiblic; and that is withregaixUo the imperfect manner the work is executed in variance with the original plan.

Of the utility of a correct Gazetteer of a State, there can be no question. The absence of a Gazetteer of Michigan has been a matter of surprise to those abroad who were desirous of obtaining a knowledge of the resources and advantages of the State, and it cannot be doubted, that the greater facilities for information possessed by other Western States, have contributed much to their settlement, and diverted thither a considerable share of emigration, that otherwise would have settled in Michigan, had her superior advantages been equally well known.

It was to supply this deficiency, that the author's services were engaged some three years since; but owing to a protracted indisposition, the work was temporarily suspendcd,^though not abandoned. Havmg, however, once commenced the collect ioil of materials, and engaged an interest in the history of the State, he resolved to persevere in Us prosecution and completion upon his -own responsibility alone. With thi3 object in view, he was stimulated to increased exertion by tlie advice and countenance of those in whom he could place reliance, and to the advancement of this purpose, his attention has been assiduously given for more than two years past. i j

The original plan and design of this work, contemplated a general, and as far as might be expedient, a local view of the State, comprising its political, civil, statistical, and natural history, coupled with such information, and so arranged, as to be useful to the emigrant, as well as a reference work to the citizen. The present work is the result ot his

IV INTRODUCTION.

labors in carrying out the design; and it is now presented to the public as the'best svhstitute he could offer, without protracting its appearance to a period that would, perhaps, be unsatisfactory, without any adequate advantage. How far this design has been achieved, will be seen upon inspection of its pages.

As preference has always been given to scientific developments, and such facts as were given upon respectable authority, much has been omitted, that otherwise would have been inserted, had the pi'oper materials been received ; yet, in some instances, where an obvious deficiency would have occurred, it has been supplied by general delineations. This remark more particularly applies to what has been said of the upper region of the State. Had the proper scientific developments been made, with regard to the natural products of the State, the author could have spared much of what has been said under the heads " soil" and " productions," as the present matter, under such circumstances, would be considered quite indifferent. It was one design to have given a full history of the sale of the public lands, and their present condition, in each land disti'ict; likewise a connected history of the trade and tonnage of the lakes, with a full statement down to the present day. But these objects have been but partially attained, though efforts for the purpose were made. If the requisite statistical matter stored in the several custom-house and landoffices, were once arranged and published in regular annals, it is conceived that the future history of those departments might be supplied with comparatively little labor. The most complete statement made, was by the efficient chief clerk* of the Kalamazoo land office, part of which istobe found under the title, " public lands." The most valuable statement prepared at his hand, is in the appendix, and is "warranted coiuplete in all its parts."

The article on "climate and health," is far from what was originally intended. The author proposed to pursue the same plan with the lower, as he has with the upper part of the State, by giving diversified observations, at one or more points upon the Atlantic, tlie Mississippi in the same latitude with Detroit, Fort Gratiot, and Chicago, likewise observations made at the three latter places — taken at the same times, and for the same periods, respectively. But as all these w>-re to be had only at the surgeon general's office at Washington, it became impracticable to visit that city for the purpose, without neglecting otlier more important parts of the work. The requisite data could not be obtained by correspondence. An abstract of the collection laws, the laws prescribing the general duties of state, county, and township officers, the mode of their election, tenure of office, salaries, etc. would have been inserted, but for the delayed preparation and publication of the Revised Statutes of the State. A succinct judicial history, a history of the legslatlon of th^ territory, and of the colony under the domination of the French, together with the more interesting facts connected with the initial settlements in each county, would havegiven a zest and interest to the work, which it would have been very agreeable to the author to have superadded. Another article was to have been inserted in the First Part, upon the nomenclature of proper names, and a collection of all the Indian names given to our lakes, water-courses, bays, islands, etc., together with their signification, arranged to accompany English names in the Third Part. The assistance ofa distinguished philologist of the Indian language had been politely proflered, whenever the requisite collection should have been made, and the author was anxious to carry the project into execution.

* Samuel Yorke At Lee.

INTRODUCTION.

This is a subject that should be attended to before the names are forgotten. The preservation of these names in our topography, while it accords with good taste, seems to be the best tribute we can render to the memory of a much injured race, fast sinking into the shades of

oblivion. , • , • n ^•

Tiie above arc among the pi incipal omissions winch it was found impracticable to supply, without delaying the publication to an indefinite period. Experience has taught that a complete statistical work of a new State, is not the labor of a day, but of years; and that, what is done, must, in most cases.depend upon personal assiduity and perseverance, supported by the countenance of public approbation. The obstacles to the attainment of information, the vexation and discouragements incident to it, are D-reater than he had before any conception of; and he is not surprised to find that previous efforts to furnish aGazetteer of this State, have proved abortive. Not the least of the perplexities experienced in preparing this work, has arisen from a vacillating, unstable legislation, temporary changes, and growth of the State in improvements since the work was commenced. To correct these alone, from time to time, has cost an amount of labor equal to writing the whole work anew.

A,°-reat difference may be observed in preparing a statistical work of a new or an old State— of the former, calculations, estimates, and statistical data, have to be made or collected by the author; while of the latter, they are already collected in some or other of the public offices, prepared for the inspection or copy of whoever wishes to obtain them. The importance of State statistics are considered of so high importance to public policy and to intelligent legislation, that legal provision has been made in some States, especially by the State of New York, by which all necessary statistics are collected and reported, as part of the duty of several public officers. By such means, the resoxirces of a State are made known abroad, and its credit consequently enhanced.

The authority of the facts sta'ed in this work, rests upon personal observation of the author in his travels; upon facts collected in an extensive correspondence with responsible persons in different parts of the State ; upon verbal communication from gentlemen enjoying public confidence, from different sections of the State ; upon the laws, journals, records, reports, public documents, &c. either published, or examined in the public offices at the seat of government ; and upon such works of respectable authority as have been published from time to time, respecting the State and

Territory. , , • i •

The work was commenced at rather an unfavorable time, during the period of speculalion, when most persons were absorbed in some wild scheme of building a fortune in the sale of lands, village lots, &c. : yet, the coursepursued wassuch, as it was believed would insure correct information. The usual method was first taken, by opening a correspondence with gentlemen in different sect ions of the State. But it was very soon perceived, that this course would not answer the purpose. Letters in answer to the request for statistical information, were often written under an apparent misapprehension of the object of the correspondence,—occupied with matter entirely extraneous,— in descanting upon the 'admirable location,' 'proposed improvement!' of some village or 'city' in 'contemplation,' which was represented as about to become the great emporium— the centre of travel.— of the manufacturing and commercial interests of the State. Another more effectual resort w;is taken. Duringthe session of the legislature, in 1837, the autlior sought pccasion for personal interview with one or more gentlemen, members of the legislature, from each county in the State. Deliberate incjuines

1*

VI INTRODUCTION".

were instituted for such facts as were requisite to be obtained, and all information received, noted down at the time for consideration, or if satisfactory, immediately drafted in regular order at the author's room. The same course was pursued until every county in the State was canvassed. Whei-e the individual was evidently interested in the facts coni-' municated, otlier persons disinterested were inquired of, and the statements of the two compared, and no statement was drawn oil" for publication until he was fully satisfied of its correctness. Although this course was very vexatious to the author, he found that it was not without precedent, and most approved. The superiority of evidence obtained from a witness upon personal interview, over that obtained from correspondence, is obvious. From this course, and from subsequent correspondence with postmasters and other gentlemen of respectability, the greater part of the information respecting the villages, and the description and resources of the several counties, were obtained, beside much other interesting matter in the body of the woi'k. Enquiries having been continually prosecuted inspecting subsequent improvements, it is believed this work exhibits the true condition of most of the villages, and of the various improvements of the State, as tliey were in the spring of 1838. Access has been had to such records, public documents, and laws of the Territory and State, as have been preserved, and much valuable information collected. A regular file of the oldest paper published in the State, continued from 1817 to the present time, was politely furnished by a gentleman, and much interesting in the history and statistics of the State has been gathered.

The Historical Sketches of Michigan, the writings and Travels of Mr. Schoolcraft, have furnished much authentic matter in both the civil and natural history of the State. The geological survey of the State, now in prosecution under such favorable auspices, will be of immense advantage in the development of its natural i-esources, and it will be perceived, that this work is not remiss in recording whatever of interest from that source, has been presented to the public.

In topographical descriptions, reference has always been made to the most correct maps of the State. The directory in the Appendix is somewhat indebted to the Western Guide for a few of the tables and some of the selected matter. The authorities noted in the margin of the work, and those stated, are the principal referred to, although much other information, from various detached sources, heretofore published in fragments, has been here collected for preservation and futui-e comparative i-eference, such especially as relates to the trade and commerce of the lakes. Many facts, which tiow have no interest, at a future day maybe useful to show the progress of the growth and improvements of different sections of the State. The statistics of productions, accompanying the townships in the Third Part, collected as they were with great labor from the very imperfect returns made to the Secretary of State, are de-' void of any present interest, but many years hence our farmers of the several townships will make comparative reference to them with much pleasure ; and such reference would be of great assistance to develop the history of tlie townships. It will be objected by some, that too much common place matter is recorded — facts already too well known ; but it is to be remarked that these facts are entirely new to emigrants, and it is as important to the State to give them correct information, as our own citizens. The work, taken together and read by course, might be viewed as tautologous in the extreme ; but it should be remembered, that it was written for a work of reference to the reader, each article intended, as far fts possible, to be entire, with as few references tj other portions of the

INTRODUCTION. VII work as possible, consequently, repetition necessarily must happen. As it regards the plan of the work, after viewing several most approved eastern and western publications, the present plan, compreheniiing the doubleobject stated, was considered, for a western work, decidedly the best. Many of those who have sent in embellished descriptions of particular places or sections of country, may be disappointed to find them dismantled of their tinselled drapery, and presented with the accompaniment only of facts ; but he is fully convinced, that simple, unembellished truth, has claims, tar more winning, than high wrought descriptions that cannot bear examination. If an emigrant is induced to locate in a particular region, from descriptions he has had of it, but, upon examination, finds it to unequal his anticipations, he will retire from it with disgust, with a far more unfavorable opinion of the country than he otherwise would have had. The policy of oven'ating a country to induce settlements, is quite questionable.

In the article of History it became necessaiy to touch upon some topics that are at present the subject of party controversy. In sketching what is there said, it was the author's aim, though he has not perhaps succeeded, to give an impartial statement of the case, on all sides, as far as facts had been presented to his cognizance. Upon reflection, it is thought, that the comments upon the primary school law, thrown into the body of the article on Education, may to some be exceptionable ; but it is here to be observed, that they were made as a part of the result of several years experience, observation and re-flection on what he considers the most momentous subject to a free people ; that they are applicable to every State having a regular, legal system of education ; that, as it is the duty of government to recjuire the education of the youth of a State, it is considered an equally imperativeduty of that government to furnish the requisite means, as much as it does for the administration of justice ; thereby, disencumbering pai'ents from any farther trouble or concern, except to send their children to the schools so provided by government. Under such a system, the source of petty neighborhood disputes would be put to rest, which originate and obtain more or less in every district, often, in effect, entirely to defeat the object of the institution.

For the author to name all the individuals to whom he is indebted for information, will not be expected, and to designate those from whom he has received tlie greatest assistance, would be an invidious task. To his various correspondents and other gentlemen throughout the State — to members of the legislature, and oflicers of State, the author returns his grateful acknowledgments for the facilities aiforded him in the collection of facts, and their politeness in imparting information; for it is much to their co-operation that this work will owe its value. For the patronage extended to his undertaking by the State, in subscribing to a portion of the woi-k, the author returns his most respectful acknowledgments to a legislature, whose views of public policy are as enlightened and liberal, as its acts ax-e public spirited and honorable.

There is one omission, that should have been, if possible, supplied in this edition of the work; and this is, the settlement of uniformity in the orthography of proper names ; but this has been prevented for the same reason that precluded attention to the etymology of the Indian names. The only rule followed has been to spell them agreeably to the most usual practice, where that was ascertained — a few cases excepted. Indian names, not before written, are spelled agreeably to pronunciation.

This is the first full announcement of the original plan and design of the Gazetteer of Michigan. The volume here offered as a substitute, has been made at the expense of much labor, and an abstraction of mind which

Vlll INTRODUCTION.

has deprived him of much of the common pleasures of society, to the detriment of his health and constitution ; and whether the original design shall be fully carried into execution and matured by his means, the reception and patronage extended to this effort will determine. That the work will be found entirely free from en-ors, the author has not the vanity to presume ; but, that errors of fact will be found frequent, where so much scrutiny and vigilance has been exercised, he cannot persuade himself to believe. Error, however, must and will occur in the first print of a statistical work, and owing to indisposition of the author while part of the work went to pi*ess, he will not be surprised to find errors typographical, and of language, and even discrepancies to have occurred to some extent, which otherwise might have been avoided. Should such be found on perusal, this untoAvard circumstance will be sufficient explanation to the candor of those acquainted with the liabilities to inaccuracy, in composing from a manuscript written only for his own superintendence, and containing such an amount of figures and uncouth proper names.

Whatever may be the fate of the work, he cannot be deprived of the satisfaction he may have to know, that he has thrown together some facts useful to the emigrant ; that he has had a share in contributing to propagate a knowledge of geography ; that he has made an effort, however feeble, to disabuse the public mind abroad, of the gross misconceptions produced by the misrepresentations the State has heretofore been subject to — a State, as fair and rich by nature, as her population are highminded, enterprising, and intelligent.

Detroit, October, 1838,

PART FIRST, Boundaries and Extent

Natural Divisions,

Area,

Upper Peninsula,

Surface,

Forests,

Streams,

Agriculture,

Fisheries,

Climate, Peninsula, Face of the Country, Soil,

Timbered Land,

Openings,

Plains,

Prairies,

Max'shes,

Grasses,

Wild Flowers, Productions,

Geological Survey,

Animals,

Wild Animals,

Domestic Animals

Wild Fowls,

Vegetables

Wild Fruits,

Grains,

Garden Vegetables,

Geological Structure,

Salines,

Medicinal Waters,

Page.

13—15

15—16

16—20

. 18

20—22

22—28

25—26

26—27

28—45

28—29

29—36

30—32

32—33

34—35

36—38

36—37

38—45

38—40

41—45

Rivers and Lakes, Rivers,

Lake Siiperior, Lake Michigan, Lake Huron, Lake Erie, Lake St. Clair, Interior Lakes, Coast, Depth,

Transparency, Color,

Temperature, Prevailing Winds, Fogs, Gales, Currents, Counter Currents, 54 Harbors, 54—55

Fish Trade, 56—57

Elevation of the Lakes, 58

Recession, Flu:ces, and Refluxes, 58—65 Tides, 61 Freshets and Spring Floods, 62

Septennial Fluxes, Public Lands, Surveys, Taxes,

Land Districts, Detroit, Monroe, Kalamazoo, Saginaw, Grand River, Tables,

63—65

65—77

65—69

69—70

71-73

72—73

74—77

CONTENTS.

Page

Internal Improvements, 77 — 97 State Works, 78—88

Southern Rail-Road, 79

Havre Branch, 79 — 80

Central Rail-Road, 80—81

Northern Rail -Road, 81

Clinton and Kalamazoo

Canal, Saginaw or Northern Canal, St. Mary's Canal, Grand river, Kalamazoo river, St. Joseph river.

Tabular statement, Michigan Internal Improvement Fund, Sinking Fund, Rail-road and Canal Companies, 88 — 9 Mail Routes, 97—100 Na V igation andCoramerce, 1 00 — 1 09 Manufactures, 109—110 Government— Synopsis of the

Constitution, 110—113

Civil Divisions, 113—116

Incorporated cities and villa

Senatorial Districts, Apportionment of Represent

atives.

Judicial circuits, Climate and Health, 116—127

Meteorological Tables of the

Upper Peninsula, 118—122 Meteorological Table of the southern part of Peninsula Proper, 123

Diseases, 126

University of Michigan, 129

Branches, 130

Primary Schools, 131 — 134

University and IPrimary

School Lands, 134

School Fund, 140—141

Univ(u-sity Fund, 141

Michigan College, 142

Kalamazoo Literary Institute 143 St. Philip's College, 14.')

.14

115 115

Page White Pigeon Academy, 145 Romeo Academy, 146

Detroit Female Seminary, 146 Historical Society, 146

Michigan State Literary Institute, 147 Young Men's Society of Detroit, 147 Religious Denominations, 148 — 150 Population and Immigration, 150—161 Table of White Population, 151 Table of Indian Population, 156 Antiquities, 161 — 177 Tumuli of Belle Fontaine, 168 Ancient Gardens, 173 — 176 History, 177—209 Name. 177 Early History, 178 Settlement of Detroit, 180 Ottogamie War, 180 Capitulation of Detroit, 182 Poniiac's War, 182—187 War of the Revolution, 1^7 Clarke's Treaty, 189 Gen. Harmer's Defeat, 189 St. Clair's Defeat, 189 Liclians defeated by Gen.

Randall and Whiting's Conspiracy, 190 Possession taken of Detroit, 190 Ordinance of 1787, 191 First grade of Government, 191 Second do. 191 Hull's Treaty with Potto wattomies, Wyandotts, Chippewas and Ottawas, 191 War with Great Britain, 192-196 Capitulation of Detroit, 193 Massacre at tlie River Raisin, 194 Gen. Cass appointed Governor of Miclngan, 195 Boundary controversy between Michigan and Ohio, 197—209 Rejection of the proposition

of Congress, 207

Michigd)! admitted into the Union, 209

CONTENTS.

XI

Part Second

Allegan County, Arenac County, Barry County, Berrien County, Branch County, Cass County, Calhoun County, Chippewa County, Clinton County, Eaton County, Genesee County, Gladwin County, Gratiot County, Hillsdale County, Ionia County, Ingham County, Isabella County, Jackson County, Kalamazoo County, Kent County,

Lapeer County, Lenawee County, Livin^gston County, Mackinac County, Macomb County, Midland County, Monroe County, Montcalm County, Oakland County, Oceana County, Ottawa County, Sanilac County, Saginaw County, Shiawassee County, St. Clair County, St. Joseph County, Van Buren County, Washtenaw County, Wayne County,

GAZETTEER OF MICHIGAN.