Four of Peter D. and Alieta Ackerman’s five boys, John b. 1826, Abraham b. 1832, William b. 1838 and Peter b. 1838, were well on their way to maturity when they came with him in 1854; all single. Son David b. 1819, who was married, arrived about 15-20 years later. There were also two daughters: Jane b. 1828 and one identified only as Mrs. Reubin Chapin. (Chapin is not found in Livingston County census records. A brother’s obituary mentions her as a survivor.) All the children had been born in New Jersey.
Jane married Richard May (b. 1822, N.Y.) in 1847 in the east. Their two children were both born in New York. May is found in the 1870 census having bought land in 1862. David had married Martha Lydaker (b. N.Y.). David and his two children, Martha b. 1864 and David B. 1866, both in New Jersey, are recorded in the 1870 census living with sister Jane. It appears that wife Martha may have died in the east. As a carpenter, David finds ready employment.
Peter D. and Alieta settled on property originally bought by Alvin F. Benjamin, from the government in 1835; Genoa Section 1, SE SE (40 ac) and Section 12, SE (80 ac) on Hacker Road. Why leave New Jersey? Was it a lack of prospects for his sons’ futures compared to the possibility they might have their own property that brought Peter D. to Michigan? The records available do not provide the answer.
John did not marry until February 23, 1888 at age 62, following his parents’ passing. His bride was Mrs. Susan Martha White. She had a son at the time, Abraham, who was working with neighbor Aaron Kelly, enlisted August 26, 1861, in Capt. John Gilluly’s 5th Inf., Co., 1. He died June 1, 1864 in the Civil War battle at New Market, VA. William is with his parents in 1860 but cannot be found in later censuses.
Peter, Jr., married Emma Crippen, daughter of Ansel Crippen, c. 1860. Peter joined his brothers-in-law Millard F., Henry L., Issac, Harrison and Ernest Crippen in service in the 9th Michigan Infantry, Co. 1 under Sgt. Major Charles D. Coleman of Pinckney. He enlisted August 15, 1861 and was mustered out October 14, 1864, poor in health, dying in 1865. His only child, Elmer, died as an infant two years earlier. After Peter’s death Emma married Dr. A. D. Smith- December 27, 1866. Their daughter, Cora Belle died at four years of age- January 14, 1875.
After Peter D.’s death in 1885, the farm is in John’s name. The 1921 atlas notes it is still in his name, but by 1935 it has been purchased by others. Most recently the farm is devoted to providing homes for other immigrants to Livingston County.
Compiled by Marieanna Bair from: census records; Bill Pless Supplement to Old Village Cemetery records. Land Owners and Settlers of Livingston County and obituaries compiled by Milton Charboneau.