Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1884-06-27
MRS. A. M. PERRINS
RecollectIons or Pioneer Life In the
Mnmmee YnlIcY.

| -
Ny father. Jacob wilkison, cmigrated from
Warren, Hcrkimer county, New York, to Obi,
in the winter of 1sos-9. Although he had
prosperous business, the reports which wer,
coutinusiiy reaching him, regarding the natura
advantages of Western 0hio--thc "far West
Of that early day influenced him to try hi,
fortunes there. lie came the whole distance
with his wife and three children, In a sleigh
and reaching the village of Cleveland, aud be.
ing favorably impressed, located there. His
original intention had been to invest his means
in large tracts ofland, but shortly after his
arrival he changed his mind aud invested in a
mill on Rocky river tnow the Cuyahoga)
For time, the enterprise proved most sue
cessful one, but unfortunately a season of mn.
usually high water developed the fact that the
building had been erected uron bed Of quick.
sand; II was swept away, and when tho floods
had subsided, not q vestige Of II was left
Rumors of the wonderful beauty. rich soil
and natural advantages OF the Maumce Valley
had reached Cleveland, from time to time, and
purpose of settling. Ny fathers misfortune
and these natterng reports at once decided hun
To follow the tide Of emigration. Ho felt so
assured that peace aud prosperity awaited him
here, that ho did not take the precautiou TO
first make personal examination, but selling
out bis remaining property at Cleveland. he
startad with his wife and four children, and
after rather a toilsome journey Of a few days
found himself upou the banks of the classic
| u ,,, .,, .., ,,r
"'se' ""'u" "''oo' presume" pea""'"'
appearance ater the recent monotony of the
Black Swamp. He Immediately located at the
Inn, of what woo or,orrord l, w.,
|
"e'gs' U" Tue s'.e VI 'he tu'"re nis"tic town
of Orleans ofthe North.
This was at n time imme dia,elv pr;or IN he
,, e,o,o -,
''e"N'"s wv W ''e ""' VI 'oi@ anu 'he ihd'
ans, who were then numerous IN this section
had already shown evidence of intended omen,
| .,,,, ,,, ,h. ,h,,, ,a, L., :.
"o''' "S ~ Wv
.scheming emissar'es oi ureat Britain' war
was declared soon after father had become set.
tied in his new home. which was Furnished with
| - , , , ,.,, ..,
many c"s''y o'nau'e"'s anu ."er's"eo 'am''y
relics that he had brought with him from the
East.
=, D.,,;. 49,.
H''e' '"' '"''e""'' w 'A"'' ~ D''""' '"''o
days notice was gwen 10 tue inhao'lants OF
this section to enable them to reach a place of
safety If possible, with the promise that the
Indians should be held in check during thu.
time, and that when this period had expired
| the British officers would not hold themselves
responsible for the c arnage which might be
committed among them. The consternatinn
aud confusion which ths notice tel can DO
better imagined than described. While the
men hastily got together and made ready
everything, in the form of II boat wbich could
be procured, the women and children packed in
| the smallest compass their clothing aud least
bulky yauables.
| The settlers were quite numerous here then,
aud, for a short lime a busy, busting scene
| was presented. Some of the mnst nervous of
| the woman could not endure moments delay +,
but, packing up a bundle of clothing and pro-
| visions. started overland in search of safe
| haven. The ex0ement which prevailed had
such powerful effect upon one woman, who
had been bed-ridden for number at years.
| that she arose from her couch and started off ON
| foot with her bundle, reaching Beileiontalue,
in the course of time, in safety.
| Only few open bouts were at haGd. aud
rumors of the approach of a hostile band Of
| Indians came before farther transportation fa.
cties could be secured. Many, therefore,
took the overland route and those that were
| left hastily crowded into the boats, with only
such articles of food would be necessary n
| take them to Cleveland. Those who had so
| carefully prepared tnelr litte OunuieS Ot val
| uables were obliged to leave them behind. My
| little brother took small chair, which lie was
| much attached to- on board hoping to have il
| TO sit in but it was quickly tossed ashore, rs
| was every other article considered supef'lunus.
| Mother carried her silver spoons in her bosom
| the only relics OF her eastern home which she
| could save. When father and his family after.
ward returned, not vestige of his pretty hume
| or its contents remaiued-all had been stolen
or destroyed and the house had been burned.
The families who were unable 10 get outo the
| boats went on foot to BE lefUn!aine. While on
| their way some men halted to dig potatoes and
| were shot down by savages lurking in anibush.
| That excursion IN open boats from the foot
of the rapids in the Maumas to Cleveland,
| following the wudings of river. bay and inlet,
| was meyer forgotten during the lives az thoss
| who PAL ticpa,ed in 1t. The crowded condition
| of the boats and consequent discnmiort and the
gloomy forebodings tor the future ami painful
reflections ON the past which occupied every
mind, stripped it of every particle ot romance
and pleasure which, under favorable circuu-
stances, might have been cunnec ed with II.
Rumors of the abandonment of the settle
ment and the coming OF the boals lad reached
Cleveland in advance. Great anxiety had been
felt for their safety, and when We finally ar
rived, after the endurance OF many har'ishiRs,
the banks of the lake we're lined with people
who gave us a lospitable welcome.
Here we remained until peace was declared,
ana IN the meantime 'a'her phit sch"oher,
evidently using the same amount OF dispatch
as did Comm"dore Perry IN creating the hset
with which he did such signal service at rat
in Bay. The schooner was ol 20 tons burden
and chTistened the "Black Snake. In the
latter part of May, 1915, father set sail with
load oi emigrans, landing part OF them at
the River Raisin and the balance al Fort Meigs,
He had with him at this time his nephew,
David Wiikison, whom he afterwards t,ok t"
raise ton the death Of his father) and who be-
came une OF the most distinguished captains on
the lakes. Young David was al ms nme 10
years of age, having been born IN the year isoo;
On his return from tins trip, my iather carried
u cargo oi ordnance aud military stores from
Fort Meigs 10 Detroit, whence All the equip
mepts were taken, Fort Meigs having Deen
dismanteled soon alter the battle.
lie continued to run tins schooner, making
occasional trips TO the Manmee, un'ii Sepieni-
ber, 1916, when he took his ian'ily back TO
Fort Megs My fathers hatred Of the British
was so intense, aud he expressed his seAt'menis
so freely in the presence oi his family, that The
|