The Grand Haven news. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1858-18??, 1862-06-04
From the Grand River Times, Oct. 8, go
Home Matters---0ur Early History.
[coSrISUED-l

Grand Haven, from Massachusetts,, and
built house nearly in the rear Of the
splendid mansion of T. w. WHITE, Esq,
and fitted it up for the accommodation Of
boarders. Subsequently he removed to
the Velsey Marsh, thence to his present
residence, in the town Of Crockery, ten
miles from Grand Haven. on the river
road. Judge Hathaway is one of our
prominent men-has held the Office of
Judge of Probate for the last twelve years
has been Supervisor of the town in
which he resides most of the time since
its organization, and enjoyed to an emf
nent degree, the esteem and confidence of
all who have the pleasure Of his acquaint-
ance.
In the fall of 80, ]. M. PATcHIN, ESQ.,,
very influential citizen of the same town
ship, arrived from Grandville, and pre-
empted lands at point now known as
Patchin's Bayou.
About the same time Mr.. A. P. Bay
ANT, brother of ISAAC BRYANT, Esq, a
prominent citizen of Mill Point, and well
known to residents on Grand River, made
claim of lands just below Patchin's Bay
on, q portion of which the year following
was sold to Col. A. NORTON, and consti-
tuting the present site of the village of
Nortonville.
About the same time Mr.. LORD made
claim on Indian lands, just below the
claim of Mr.. B., known now as Lords
Bayou. t.t
Mr.. DAN VELsEY arrived from the
State of New York the same fall, and
pre-empted large tract Of land at a
point ten miles above the mouth Of Grand
River, portion of which is known as
Velsey's Marsh. Several hundred acres
of this tract have recently been sold to
Messrs. BECKER, RANNEY & SpooN, who
are just completing thereon one of the
finest steam saw mills on the river. Mr..
VELsEY was for number of years in the
employ of NATHAN TnRooP, Esq, and
died only few hours before the death of
Mr.. T., at his residence. =
During the winter of 1887 and 'Ss
little circumstance occurred well remem-
bered by early settlers, which admirably
illustrates the dog-in-the.manger principle
which governs some men Heaven be
thanked that there are no more of them
in their social intercourse with their fell
lows. Just at the close of navigation, in
the fall of '97, the schooner Virginia,
dismasted in gale and driven by adverse
winds, made her appearance at the mouth
OF the river, owner on board, who was
determined not to winter here, and was
bound, if possible, to reach Chicago, even
though his vessel was in such crippled
state, and ice already began to accumu-
late around her sides and adhere tenacious
ly to her rigging. When there was no
longer the slightest hope of success the
project was abandoned, and owner and
crew took up their abode with our citi-
zens. The owner of the vessel, however,
was found to be, at times, insane, and
during the winter was often placed under
keepers to prevent him from doing injury
to himself or others with the deadly weap-
ons which he. was in the habit of carry
ing with him. He was man of some
wealth, and was known to have had con-
siderable money when he came ashore,
both in paper and specie, but in the spring
scarcely sufficient could be found in his
possession to repair bis vessel. But, up
on his own confession and circumstantial
evidence, it was ascertained that he had
burned his money, under the impression
that it had magnetized him (by no means
the first thus magnetizcd) and he was de-
termined to heat it until it phould lose its
magnetic influence. This caused the de-
struction Of the bills, and ia his stove was
found Jumps of silver, remains of dirks,
etc. o.. w
The vessel belonging to this individual
was freighted in part with flour. The
quantity in the settlement was nearly ex-
hausted; neagre famine began to stare
anxious citizens in the face; food must be
obtained. Mr.. ROBINSON offered to pur-
chase Of him for the relief of the needy,
and rendered him check of $1,000 for
one hundred barrels---a price far above
| the market yalue at Grand RaDids-but