One finds the Hicks name in Livingston County in the 1830s.  This writer has not been able to prove the connection between these Hicks that also came from New York, to those who settled in Brighton Township by 1859.

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Born in Bennington County, Vermont, June 10, 1805, Aaron H. Kelley (or Kelly) headed west to Michigan in 1830.  At the time Chief Black Hawk’s threatening activities were causing serious concerns to area settlers.  That and the spread of the cholera epidemic (brought by the soldiers under orders to bring Black Hawk under control) sent […]

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The “Old Homestead”, owned by S. Bert Appleton, was located in Section 2, Hamburg Township on the south side of Cunningham Lake Road.  Among the very first settlers in the area were Isaac W. and Lydia (Brower) Appleton.  He and brother Daniel, both from Tompkins, N.Y., scouted land in the SE ¼ of Livingston County […]

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Amrod and Catherine Moon, of Niagara Falls, New York, arrived in Hamburg Township c. 1837.  They came with sons Luther (b. 1824), Alfred (b. 1827), Samuel P. (b. 1829), Hiram (b. 1832) and William (b. 1836).

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Making his home in New York, Lewis Crout was killed (1863) while serving in the Civil War. This left his wife, Hannah, with nine sons, the oldest 15 years, to make their way in the world.  Five years later (1868) this plucky widow moved her family to the Brighton Area by means of a lumber […]

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Michael, Hugh, Thomas, Patrick (3), James, Edward and Mathew McCabes and their wives were born in Ireland.  They came to Green Oak, Hamburg, Unadilla and Genoa Township by way of Canada, New York or Illinois, to find a life tilling the soil.  By 1844, several are listed as resident taxpayers in Green Oak Township sections […]

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Born in county Down, Ireland, Robert McClements and wife, “Miss Cannon”, had six children.  John born 1823, William born 1826, Joseph born 1830, Samuel born 1833, Robert born 1837, Mathilda (or Anna) born ?.  All of whom were born in Ireland. In 1855, John, Joseph and Samuel came to the United States.  Within a few […]

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The Brighton Argus, c. 1900, listed a number of farms, with a name and the name of the owner.  Research into location, type of farming and a bit of family background is undertaken.  This study is an attempt to provide an understanding of the early days of the area and its residents. 

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Maple Lawn Farm, on Pleasant Valley Road just north of Buno Road, in Brighton Township stillhas maples in the lawn. A. c.1900 newspaper clipping lists Wm. J. Donaldson as the owner.

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