Delaware gazette. [volume] (Delaware, Ohio) 1855-1886, 1870-03-11
Written Tor the Delaware Gazette.
PIONEER SKETCHES OF AsELA-
WARE COUNTY.
5r7 fz Numlar One.
INTRODUCTORY.

&
INTRODUCTORY. 9
The writer feels a reluctance in attempt
ing to portray the early history of Della
ware County, from the insuTmountable
obstacles which arise in his pathway at
the start The details for an authentic.
succinct, and reliable record, lie deeply
buried, are widely scattered, and in
many instances live only in the memo
ries of the pioneers. To excavate the
facts, to collect the items, to confer with
the pioneers is an onerOus task, demand
ing an amount of time, and Batient re
search, from which the authors impecu-
niousity may cause him to shrink On
the other hand. he is deeply conscious
that the Pioneers,
Like the speed of a breath. or the dash of a
Are passing from life to their rest in the
grave"
and much that is of interest to the pres
ent generation, and will be of pressing
importance to future ones, must be
speedily rescued or soon lost in oblivion.
Hence, not without hesitancy and
forebOding, but with dehberation, he
attempts a series of sketches Of the early
settlers, their priVations, prosperity, and
progress not always in chronological
order, but abounding in detail hoping
by his effort and example to incite others
to assist in his rehearsal.
SETTLEMENT IN BERLIN.
The original purchase was four thous-
and acres, or stsection four, township
four, range eighteen, - from Government
by Joseph Constant. The deed for this
tract is signed by John Adams, the sec
ond President The price was Sz.oo per
acre. The purchaser was a Colonel in
the Seminole war, accompanied his
regiment south, was taken i'll, returned
to his home at PeekskiIl on the Hudson,
where he shortly afterwards died. Pre-
viously to his death he donatedto David
Lewis, Sr-, fifty acres of his Buckeye
possessions. The latter portion of the
original purchase, comprises a portion
of the farm now owned by C. w. Ridg-
way Esq,
Section three" adjoining four on the
north was the original purchase of Col.
Byxbee one Of the early settlers Of the
county and father Of Moses Byxbee still
living in Delaware. OF these Pioneers
we propose to write in detail in a subse-
quent sketch.
These sections embrace the entire
eastern portion of Berlin township and
lie on both sides of alum creek. Bottom
lands IN these sections, particularly in
section -four are among the best farm
lands in the county.
In the year eighteen hundred and
Eve John Johnson and Joseph Eaton,
Sr.s father Of the late James Eaton, with
their families, made a settlement on the
ByXbee section. In the same year David
Lewis Sr., with his sons David, Isaac,
and Chester made a settlement on the
Constant purchase. They were natives
OF waterbury Conn. in Salem parish, -
now Naugatuek They erected rude
cabins, cleared small spots. planted pota-
toes corn and pumpkins, and lived in
almost SelSirkian solitude. The nearest
neighbors were at Worthington and IN
erty settlements. They went bv Indian
trail 70 mill at the latter place. Came
was plenty. Deer and turkeys abound
led. Wild hogs and occasionally a bear
were killed. The wolf and raccoon were
common. On the tWenty-ninth of Sept
eighteen hundred six, Joseph Constant