Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1868-04-01
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HISTORY OF GREENE
HrsTopTcAL ADDRESS,
On the FiftIeth Anniversary since
the Settlement OF GreSne.
bull County. Ohio.
BY WALTER BARTLETT.

what interest and delight do we read
the history of the early Pilgrims, their
first landing upon Plymouth rock, tneir
almost starvation during their first set
Element, their sufferings and massacres
by the Indians. Through the medium
of history, we are carried back IN the
twinkling of an eye, three thousand
wears; and in our imagination we see
Pharaoh sitting upon his regal throne
tyranizing over some, and exaltlng
Others; and as we descend the stream
of time, We see Kingdoms rising, en-
pires wasting away like the mornlng
dew; and, again, a nucleus forming
and rising and increasing in Strength
until like BABYLON, Persia or Rome
they, in their mighty strength, sway
the sceptre over the entire earth.
And with still deeper interest do we
catch at every item of information to
be found concerning that emerald Isle,
from which many of our ancestors
came. and we often wonder why the
first settlers of that land of arts and
sciences, did not keep more accurate
history of their first settlement. And
being aware that the first settlement OF
Greene must soon be matter OF histo-
~, we have felt it not only privilege,
but duty, to record some of the prin-
cipal events of our township, for the
last half century, and present them to
our fellow citizens, on this day, which
closes our fftieth anniversary.
About the year 1916, number OF
families from Lower Canada, who were
previously from the Eastern States,
came into this country, some to Con-
neaut, Ohio, and some TO the western
part of Pennsylvania. In the spring of
1917, not having permanently settled,
several of these, on the llth day of
March, started for Trumbull county,
and having heard of Greene, they made
their way here. After looking here,
and exploring other parts Of the eoun-
try, and after much consultation. six
of them agreed to purchase Lots No. Z,
IA and Il, and divide them equally be-
tween the six; with the expectation
that the balance of their friends in Pa,
and Noah Coleman, would soon join
them. Accordingly, on the lst day Of
April, they went to Warren to see the
land agent, Simon Perkins. These six
were Ephraim Rice, John Wakefield,
Roswell Bartlett, John Harrington,
William Harrington and Ichabod Mer'
ritt. By paying thirty-Ihree dollars, in
advance, they obtained their articles,
running four years, at $3.50 per acre.
They returned to Pennsylvania, and
on the 9th of April, E. Rice, John
Wakefield aud l. Merritt, started with
their families for Greene. They put
up one mile west of the center of Gus
tsYus. in a deserted log cabin. called
the Newton place. These three fsmi-
lies, together with Roswell Bartlett,
whose family was yet in Canada, and
VIM. Harrington, young man, came
to Greene and erected three cabins, 16
feet square, and shout feet high.
Having so far fitted up these dwellings.
r. Bartlett went with Ephraim Rice's
wagon, after Ichabod Meritt's family,
which then consisted of his mother and
brother Aaron. They returned near
sunset. Their house was not yet COM
pleted, not having any roof upon it,
As it look red very much like rain, If
Il DCC-ulC ACCC55aLI tudl 6OLACAAA1E
should be done immediately so they
hastened TO the nearest elm, downed it,
took off the bark, spread 1t over one
corner of the building; cut two poles
for side rails, put one end between the
logs of the house-Which constituted
the head rail and head board-and two
crotches driven firmly into the ground
composed the foot posts. with some elm
bark for bottom, completed the first bed
stead in Greene made by civilization.
On this, a woman sixty years of age
spread her bed, and upon it sweetly
slept, regardless of all the canine race
of wild howling wilderness.
On the 18th of April. 1917, Ephraim
Rice came in with his family, consist
ing of wife and four children; also
John Wakefield, with his wife and
three children. At this time, the
weather was warm and growing; the
herbage was up ankle high, and thick,
so that there was no lack of food fol
cattle and horses. During this sum
mer, Ebenezer Kee purchased the land
where he now lives. David Merritt
came, and also John S. Martin, who
bought fifty acres of the east part o
VIM. Hsrrington's lot. He removed
there in the fall of 1919. Some time
this fall, Isaac B. Spring came in. Or
the 29th of December he started fol
Warren to purchase land got lost anC
wandered all day, cold and wet; snow
ankle deep; had to stay all night; sai
upon a tree to prevent the wolves
which were all around him. from de
youring him. This year, in December
John Harrington and Ebenezer Ke,
came and built their cabins. E. Ket
moved into his house sometime in Feb
ruary, 1918, and John Harrington
about the first of March, and on the
l4th of March, 1918, his only daughter
Deborah, was born, this being the frs
birth in the township. At this time
there was food, owing to the melting
of the snow, which fell on the I'd day
of February nearly three feet deep.
About the first of October, Roswell
Bartlett started east for his family, anC
in company with David Rice anC
Ephraim Kee started upon their return
to this country On the 18th of January
1918. They arrived at Gustavus Feb
ruary 10th. Ephraim Kee left US a
Erie, Pennsylvania, aud went to hi
friends in Pennsylvania. Roswell Bart
lett came into Greene the next week
and David Rice bought out l. Merritt
and moved on in March. Ephraim Ket
bought what was called the Plumb lot
and moved upon it April 18th, 1918.
J This season passed off very quietly
Nothing in particular tended to breaE
the monotony of the axemen, and o
the ringing of COW bells, until the 18th
:, of October, when it was announced
that the wife of John Wakefield had I
son whom they subsequently, named
Edwin. This was the second birth il
the township.
In the winter of 1919, James Bascor
came in from the State of New York
and during the summer, Hardin P
Higgins, from Homer, New York, G. P
/, Hayford, also, came from the same
place; in June, 1920, Timothy Higgins
: and family, consisting of wife and five
) children.
In. September, John NJ. Justin came
, and was married to Ruth Higgins il
November following, being the frs
couple married in the township. Thi
J fall, Robert Evens and Ephraim Rice
I'd, came, and Levi Rice in the winter
. In the fall of 1921 Samuel Hayforc
, with wife and seven children settled
here. In February, 1922, Major Church
r i'll and father bought and moved on
and in the spring, Barnsbas Churchill
came in. About this time Benjamin
Merritt came into the country; also
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