Elizabeth's parents were George & Jane Granger. William came to America first. Then sent for his wife and children. Elizabeth (and her 5 children) came on the ship "Venus" which landed in New York on 4-15-1822. She had left family, friends and her society behind – never to see them again. She knew nothing about the wild land of forests and Indians, which she was about to enter. Although born in England, she died in Orleans Township, Ionia County, MI. She had traveled far. She is buried in Greens Cemetery, Belding, MI. She spent 8 years in New York (1822 –1830); 18 years in Rawsonville, MI; (1830 – 1848) and 29 years in Ionia Co. MI (1848 – 1877)
It is not known if William met Elizabeth in New York, or if she traveled with the children to Orleans County, on the west side of the state to meet him. They probably traveled by wagon, because the Erie Canal, which goes though Orleans Co. was not completed until 1825. Upon reaching Orleans County, it would have been difficult to clear an area for farming. There were no roads, and very little communication. It is probable that William and the older boys worked on the canal. Jacob also worked on the Erie-Wabash Canal, and lived in Lockport, IN.
The Baltimore & Ohio Railroad was running by 1828. Shortly after Sarah was born in 1830 they headed to Rawsonville, MI, near Ypsilanti. They would have been one of the first settlers in the area. They must have liked challenge.
We found the area where they lived [on the corner of Main Street on the North side of the Huron River.]. There is now (in 2006) a McDonald's on that corner and many other businesses.
William was born about 1787 in England, and died in Rawsonville, MI. on 3-16-
1831, which is near Ann Arbor. He married Elizabeth Granger in Carisbrooke, Isle of Wight, England. He came to America, and sent for his wife and children. Not much more is known about him, except that he must have liked the enticement of the unknown, always searching out new places, and dreaming of what could be. Unsure of where he is buried.
In 1830 William & Elizabeth and their family of 9 probably took a schooner to Detroit (a 2 week trip). Detroit was filled with Indians and Frenchmen, unpainted buildings, muddy streets, and very dirty. (The 'Sauk Trail' to Rawsonville (then called "The Landing") was just an Indian mud trail. It is now U.S. 12.) Settlers always traveled with axes and log chains to pry themselves out of the mud. Supplies could be brought in to Rawsonville from Lake Erie by boat up the Huron River, which was very deep. Wild life was plentiful, a wonderful supply of food for both the settlers and the Indians who would drop in to spend the night.
It wouldn't have taken long for William and his 3 sons (now 15, 14, & 12) to build a one-room log cabin (using axe, saw and auger). The roof might even have been a thatched roof, which would allow snow on their blankets in the winter. It would take longer, however to clear the land and plant crops, put up fences for their animals.
Elizabeth had to be able to cook (remember McDonald's wasn't there at the time). She had to bake, garden, heal the sick and sew, (an excellent seamstress) [A descendant has some buttons which came from her dress.] But this was an era of good will, kindness, hospitality and helpfulness. Surely she called upon this neighborly good will when her William, her husband died within a year of moving to Rawsonville. Apparently the boys took over the farm operation. In the 1840 census William is married to Orpha Sisson, and has a son Renslear, a daughter Laura; and still living in the area. Elizabeth was living with son Francis and the other children. By 1840 there were 3 mills, (a woolen mill, a gristmill, and a lumber mill). All were on the south side of the river, across from the Moorman farm. There was also a cheese factory and a distilling plant.
By 1850 Elizabeth, age 62, and her youngest daughter Sarah, age 19 were living in Orleans, Ionia Co. MI with Elizabeth's oldest daughter, Mary Howe. Elizabeth is buried in Greens Cemetery, Belding, Mich. Her tombstone reads, "She hath done what she could".
It is not known if William met Elizabeth in New York, or if she traveled with the children to Orleans County, on the west side of the state to meet him. They probably traveled by wagon, because the Erie Canal, which goes though Orleans Co. was not completed until 1825. Upon reaching Orleans County, it would have been difficult to clear an area for farming. There were no roads, and very little communication. It is probable that William and the older boys worked on the canal. Jacob also worked on the Erie-Wabash Canal, and lived in Lockport, IN.
The Baltimore & Ohio Railroad was running by 1828. Shortly after Sarah was born in 1830 they headed to Rawsonville, MI, near Ypsilanti. They would have been one of the first settlers in the area. They must have liked challenge.
We found the area where they lived [on the corner of Main Street on the North side of the Huron River.]. There is now (in 2006) a McDonald's on that corner and many other businesses.
William was born about 1787 in England, and died in Rawsonville, MI. on 3-16-
1831, which is near Ann Arbor. He married Elizabeth Granger in Carisbrooke, Isle of Wight, England. He came to America, and sent for his wife and children. Not much more is known about him, except that he must have liked the enticement of the unknown, always searching out new places, and dreaming of what could be. Unsure of where he is buried.
In 1830 William & Elizabeth and their family of 9 probably took a schooner to Detroit (a 2 week trip). Detroit was filled with Indians and Frenchmen, unpainted buildings, muddy streets, and very dirty. (The 'Sauk Trail' to Rawsonville (then called "The Landing") was just an Indian mud trail. It is now U.S. 12.) Settlers always traveled with axes and log chains to pry themselves out of the mud. Supplies could be brought in to Rawsonville from Lake Erie by boat up the Huron River, which was very deep. Wild life was plentiful, a wonderful supply of food for both the settlers and the Indians who would drop in to spend the night.
It wouldn't have taken long for William and his 3 sons (now 15, 14, & 12) to build a one-room log cabin (using axe, saw and auger). The roof might even have been a thatched roof, which would allow snow on their blankets in the winter. It would take longer, however to clear the land and plant crops, put up fences for their animals.
Elizabeth had to be able to cook (remember McDonald's wasn't there at the time). She had to bake, garden, heal the sick and sew, (an excellent seamstress) [A descendant has some buttons which came from her dress.] But this was an era of good will, kindness, hospitality and helpfulness. Surely she called upon this neighborly good will when her William, her husband died within a year of moving to Rawsonville. Apparently the boys took over the farm operation. In the 1840 census William is married to Orpha Sisson, and has a son Renslear, a daughter Laura; and still living in the area. Elizabeth was living with son Francis and the other children. By 1840 there were 3 mills, (a woolen mill, a gristmill, and a lumber mill). All were on the south side of the river, across from the Moorman farm. There was also a cheese factory and a distilling plant.
By 1850 Elizabeth, age 62, and her youngest daughter Sarah, age 19 were living in Orleans, Ionia Co. MI with Elizabeth's oldest daughter, Mary Howe. Elizabeth is buried in Greens Cemetery, Belding, Mich. Her tombstone reads, "She hath done what she could".
Elizabeth's parents were George & Jane Granger. William came to America first. Then sent for his wife and children. Elizabeth (and her 5 children) came on the ship "Venus" which landed in New York on 4-15-1822. She had left family, friends and her society behind – never to see them again. She knew nothing about the wild land of forests and Indians, which she was about to enter. Although born in England, she died in Orleans Township, Ionia County, MI. She had traveled far. She is buried in Greens Cemetery, Belding, MI. She spent 8 years in New York (1822 –1830); 18 years in Rawsonville, MI; (1830 – 1848) and 29 years in Ionia Co. MI (1848 – 1877)
It is not known if William met Elizabeth in New York, or if she traveled with the children to Orleans County, on the west side of the state to meet him. They probably traveled by wagon, because the Erie Canal, which goes though Orleans Co. was not completed until 1825. Upon reaching Orleans County, it would have been difficult to clear an area for farming. There were no roads, and very little communication. It is probable that William and the older boys worked on the canal. Jacob also worked on the Erie-Wabash Canal, and lived in Lockport, IN.
The Baltimore & Ohio Railroad was running by 1828. Shortly after Sarah was born in 1830 they headed to Rawsonville, MI, near Ypsilanti. They would have been one of the first settlers in the area. They must have liked challenge.
We found the area where they lived [on the corner of Main Street on the North side of the Huron River.]. There is now (in 2006) a McDonald's on that corner and many other businesses.
William was born about 1787 in England, and died in Rawsonville, MI. on 3-16-
1831, which is near Ann Arbor. He married Elizabeth Granger in Carisbrooke, Isle of Wight, England. He came to America, and sent for his wife and children. Not much more is known about him, except that he must have liked the enticement of the unknown, always searching out new places, and dreaming of what could be. Unsure of where he is buried.
In 1830 William & Elizabeth and their family of 9 probably took a schooner to Detroit (a 2 week trip). Detroit was filled with Indians and Frenchmen, unpainted buildings, muddy streets, and very dirty. (The 'Sauk Trail' to Rawsonville (then called "The Landing") was just an Indian mud trail. It is now U.S. 12.) Settlers always traveled with axes and log chains to pry themselves out of the mud. Supplies could be brought in to Rawsonville from Lake Erie by boat up the Huron River, which was very deep. Wild life was plentiful, a wonderful supply of food for both the settlers and the Indians who would drop in to spend the night.
It wouldn't have taken long for William and his 3 sons (now 15, 14, & 12) to build a one-room log cabin (using axe, saw and auger). The roof might even have been a thatched roof, which would allow snow on their blankets in the winter. It would take longer, however to clear the land and plant crops, put up fences for their animals.
Elizabeth had to be able to cook (remember McDonald's wasn't there at the time). She had to bake, garden, heal the sick and sew, (an excellent seamstress) [A descendant has some buttons which came from her dress.] But this was an era of good will, kindness, hospitality and helpfulness. Surely she called upon this neighborly good will when her William, her husband died within a year of moving to Rawsonville. Apparently the boys took over the farm operation. In the 1840 census William is married to Orpha Sisson, and has a son Renslear, a daughter Laura; and still living in the area. Elizabeth was living with son Francis and the other children. By 1840 there were 3 mills, (a woolen mill, a gristmill, and a lumber mill). All were on the south side of the river, across from the Moorman farm. There was also a cheese factory and a distilling plant.
By 1850 Elizabeth, age 62, and her youngest daughter Sarah, age 19 were living in Orleans, Ionia Co. MI with Elizabeth's oldest daughter, Mary Howe. Elizabeth is buried in Greens Cemetery, Belding, Mich. Her tombstone reads, "She hath done what she could".
It is not known if William met Elizabeth in New York, or if she traveled with the children to Orleans County, on the west side of the state to meet him. They probably traveled by wagon, because the Erie Canal, which goes though Orleans Co. was not completed until 1825. Upon reaching Orleans County, it would have been difficult to clear an area for farming. There were no roads, and very little communication. It is probable that William and the older boys worked on the canal. Jacob also worked on the Erie-Wabash Canal, and lived in Lockport, IN.
The Baltimore & Ohio Railroad was running by 1828. Shortly after Sarah was born in 1830 they headed to Rawsonville, MI, near Ypsilanti. They would have been one of the first settlers in the area. They must have liked challenge.
We found the area where they lived [on the corner of Main Street on the North side of the Huron River.]. There is now (in 2006) a McDonald's on that corner and many other businesses.
William was born about 1787 in England, and died in Rawsonville, MI. on 3-16-
1831, which is near Ann Arbor. He married Elizabeth Granger in Carisbrooke, Isle of Wight, England. He came to America, and sent for his wife and children. Not much more is known about him, except that he must have liked the enticement of the unknown, always searching out new places, and dreaming of what could be. Unsure of where he is buried.
In 1830 William & Elizabeth and their family of 9 probably took a schooner to Detroit (a 2 week trip). Detroit was filled with Indians and Frenchmen, unpainted buildings, muddy streets, and very dirty. (The 'Sauk Trail' to Rawsonville (then called "The Landing") was just an Indian mud trail. It is now U.S. 12.) Settlers always traveled with axes and log chains to pry themselves out of the mud. Supplies could be brought in to Rawsonville from Lake Erie by boat up the Huron River, which was very deep. Wild life was plentiful, a wonderful supply of food for both the settlers and the Indians who would drop in to spend the night.
It wouldn't have taken long for William and his 3 sons (now 15, 14, & 12) to build a one-room log cabin (using axe, saw and auger). The roof might even have been a thatched roof, which would allow snow on their blankets in the winter. It would take longer, however to clear the land and plant crops, put up fences for their animals.
Elizabeth had to be able to cook (remember McDonald's wasn't there at the time). She had to bake, garden, heal the sick and sew, (an excellent seamstress) [A descendant has some buttons which came from her dress.] But this was an era of good will, kindness, hospitality and helpfulness. Surely she called upon this neighborly good will when her William, her husband died within a year of moving to Rawsonville. Apparently the boys took over the farm operation. In the 1840 census William is married to Orpha Sisson, and has a son Renslear, a daughter Laura; and still living in the area. Elizabeth was living with son Francis and the other children. By 1840 there were 3 mills, (a woolen mill, a gristmill, and a lumber mill). All were on the south side of the river, across from the Moorman farm. There was also a cheese factory and a distilling plant.
By 1850 Elizabeth, age 62, and her youngest daughter Sarah, age 19 were living in Orleans, Ionia Co. MI with Elizabeth's oldest daughter, Mary Howe. Elizabeth is buried in Greens Cemetery, Belding, Mich. Her tombstone reads, "She hath done what she could".
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