Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1860-06-14
LETTER FROM JOHN HARMON, ESQ.

LETTER FROM John HARMON, ESQ.
RAvENNA, June II, 1860.
CHARLES WHITTLEsEY, ESQ, CLEVELAND
Dear Sir: Yours of June 4th, was duly re-
ceived, but press of business prevented an
immediate answer. I thank you for youI
kind invitation to attend the pioneer meeting
at Newburgh, on the 18th, and assure you
itwould give me much pleasure to be able to
attend, and take by the hand some OF my old
acquaintance of more than halfeentury ago,
who may probably be there, as well as ac-
quaintanees of later years.
Time has sadly thinned the ranks of those
old pioneers-and out of those of fifty years
ago, but very few remain. / have watched
the papers Of your place with much interest
for some word of those old pioneers, a few OF
whom learn, still linger with us.
You suggest if could not attend. that /
put something on paper for the occasion.
fear l can scarce add anything of interest to
what some time since wrote you. I first
visited Cleveland, that part now called New
btlrgh, in August, 1906, boy of 163 years,
and spent some ten days, perhaps more, in
the family of W. W. Williams. During my
stay there, formed some acquaintance with
those of the neighborhood, especially with
those young men or youths of my age, among
whom were the Williams, the Hamilton 5,
the Plum's and Kingsbury's, the Burks, and
the Gums. The Miles had had not then
arrived. We attended meetings in log barn
at DOane's Corners once or twice, to hear the
announcement of a new sect, by one Daniel
Parker, who preached what he called Haley
onism-since believe, it has become extinct.
We bathed together under the fall of Mill
Greek, gathered cranberries in the marshes
westward of the Edwards place, and danced
to the music of Major Samuel Jones violin
at his house, afterwards the residence of my
old friend, Captain Allen Gaylord. Judge
Huntington, afterwards Governor, lived then,
believe, at the place afterwards occupied
by Dexter EFastus Mile Newburgh street
was opened previously, from the mill north
to Doanes Corners, and was then lined with
cultivated fields on both sides, nearly the
whole distance from Judge Kingsbury's to
the mill. But much dead timber remained
on the fields There were some orchards OF
appls-trees on some of the farms, and Judge
Kingsburys orchard bore few apples that
season, which was probably the first season
of bearing. The Judge had q small nursery
ofapple-trees, and there was larger nursery
of smaller trees on Mr.. Williams place.
In May, 1909, when ! first saw Cleveland
city, as it was called even then, there were
but few families there-Major Spaford, Major
Garter, Judge Perry, Governor Huntington,
and Judge WaIwOrth, remember; and there
may perhaps have bean one or two more
David Clark and Elisha Norton, who had
lived there, had left the city. Spahord and
Carter kept taverns. Perry had a store.
Judge Stanley Griswold, lived at Doane's
Corners in 1909, and was appointed by Gov
ernor Huntington, Senator in Congress, tc
fill vacancy in place Of Edward Tifin,
resigned.
June II, we had military election al
the house Of Judge Griswold, to elect an
oficer-I believe an ensign-of the company
that included what is now Cleveland, New
burgh, and Euclid. It was a spirited con.
test and it resulted in the election of Allen
Gaylord.
Judge Griswold was obsent from home al
the time. 1t was understood he was attend
ing a session of Congress. His wife was
there, and appeared to be very accomplished
woman.
Twill add no more now, but hope you will
have s'gOod meeting, and at some future
meeting l hope 70 be able to meet with you.
Your friend, JOHS HARMON.