Among the press of pioneers from the east, Cyrenus Morgan and brothers, Nathaniel G. Sr, and Benjamin, came from New York to Michigan to find new homes, 1835-37. The opening of the Erie Canal, in 1825, greatly reduced the labor, time, danger and expense of the journey.
Originally purchased by Richard J. and Martha Lyons in 1834, the W ½ SE ¼ and E ¼ SW ¼ of Section 22, Brighton Township, was in the hands of Henry Weber c. 1900. At that time the original 120 acres totaled 118.5 acres. In 1842 Richard and Martha had set aside land for use […]
Each year in Brighton the Veterans’ Organizations conduct Memorial Day observances. This has been happening since May 30, 1884, when the Samuel B. Appleton Post #179 of the G.A.R. held Memorial Services for their fellow comrades.
L. R. Bird’s VALLEY VIEW Farm and Adeline Bird’s BLUFF VIEW are the subjects of this issue. In 1833, Gardner Bird came with his family from Ontario County, N.Y. to the 240 acres purchased in Section 11 and 14, Brighton Township; Pleasant Valley Road running down the middle. (General Motors bought 120 acres c 1925 […]
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 […]
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.
Among early arrivals to the area were both Aaron A. and Hiram S. Newman. By 1859 Aaron owned 200 acres in Section 5, 6 & 7 of Brighton Township. The 1875 Atlas records 80 acres in Sec. 9 in Hirams name. Hiram was a commissioner in the Howell Lansing Railroad Company, which brought the railroad […]
Among the very early families names recorded in the Village Cemetery records and whose farms were also listed in the c. 1900 Argus, one finds the name of Prosser. Joining the many who were streaming into Michigan and Brighton Township, in the mid 1830s, where Charles and Elmina Prosser from Genesee County, New York. Lydia […]
Maple Lawn Farm, on Pleasant Valley Road just north of Buno Road, in Brighton Township still has maples in the lawn. A. c.1900 newspaper clipping lists Wm. J. Donaldson as the owner. In ‘Early Land Owners and Settlers in Livingston County’ one finds several Andrews making land purchases in the Township. One Abram, from Monroe […]
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 […]
