Groups of settlers united as they headed west to Michigan from New York in the 1830s; many of them long time friends. (Not unlike the wagon trains which went West a few years later.) Arriving in Brighton Township they found no living quarters, merely a wilderness. Some land was level, some wet, much rolling, almost all heavily forested. A log house, built by William Valentine, who had returned to New York, became shelter for 12, soon for 22 persons for three weeks until the men built houses for their families. Among these was William Tunis who, in August 1836, took up 280 acres in Section 17. Much of this is now part of a subdivision, Pine Creek (NW of School Lake) with lovely homes in the hills.
He is listed as a charter member of the Livingston County Agricultural Society, organized February 24, 1853. By 1859 he owns 110 acres in Section 28 (south of Buno Rd., east of U.S. 23, north of E. Spencer Road). Colonial Village Subdivision (mid 1960s) and Brighton Township Hall (1984) are located on the north 50 acres of this property. The south 60 are still in his name in 1895. (In 1935, his daughter, Alice (Eugene) Hicks is recorded as owner.)
Research indicates Holmes Tunis is probably a son of William. In July 1866, Holmes has married Amy Ann Buck, daughter of Warren and Ann Buck who came from Massachusetts in 1842. (The Bucks lived just to the south in Section 20, along Hilton Road and what was called Flint Road.) By 1875, Holmes name is on the plat map on the Bucks 80. Insufficient evidence to the contrary forces the writer to assume that Holmes Tunis FRUIT RIDGE FARM was located on this piece. The lay of the land is sufficiently level and dry.
By 1895 H.M. Tunis name is on the N ½ of Section 30; 68 acres bounded on the north by Challis Rd. with Grand River Road running through the east part. Also 18 acres just into Section 29 to the north on the east side of Grand River. Year 2000 finds restaurants, law offices, banks, the post office and the library on this site, with the Brighton Mall on the east side of Grand River.
With his health failing and the children grown, Holmes and Amy moved into town about 1915. Holmes died November 6, 1925 and Amy two days later. Both are buried in the Pleasant Valley Cemetery.
Compiled by Marieanna Bair from First Landowners of Livingston County, Early Land Owners and Settlers of Livingston County and obituaries compiled by Milton Charboneau; 1880 History of Livingston County and early census records.