English Couple Among The First To Settle In The Grafton Area
Not all of the early settlers who came to Grafton were New Englanders who received land through the Western Reserve draft or purchased tracts from the original owners immediately after the War of 1812. To them, it is true, goes the credit for taking the initial steps toward settlement. They came, cleared the land, organized the township, and started a growing community. They, like many others, achieved such success that it was not long until others in far countries heard of the ?land of promise? and began crossing the ocean, enduring long journeys by stagecoach, and adding their efforts to the building of a vast new section of great America.
Among those who left their homes across the Atlantic were Robert and Mary Tong Wilson, a newly wed English
couple who found their way to a settlement near what is now Belden. Their story, an interesting one, is completely reviewed in a history of the Wilson family, compiled by two of their descendants, Edith F. Howard
and Lucy M. Wilson of Grafton. It is from their book that we select incidents for our Grafton story this week.
The tale begins in the early nineteenth century in Hollym, a rural area in the rugged hills of southern Yorkshire, England. There in a modest home lived Mr. And Mrs. Robert Wilson of meager means but highly respected. There they reared their family of several boys and girls.
Loved The Outdoors
It is with Robert, one of the older boys, that we are concerned. Living in a rural area, he learned to love outdoor life. When he wanted to earn funds, he did chores for the neighbors. He liked to work with animals and when most of his friends left the country to work in gravel pits and mills, or when they were ?bound out? to learn a trade. Robert preferred to remain and work for the farmers. From his work on several small farms he gained the
experience which enabled him to accept a responsible job as manager of a large estate. At that time, 1827, he was only 21 but his employer gave ?????? men on the estate.
Shortly before Robert's arrival, some kind of fate had brought a young girl from Kenningham to be the head cook. Her name was Mary Tong. Robert hadn?t been there long before the maids began teasing Mary about the new
foreman, for although he was shy and a man of few words his attraction to Mary was evident. It wasn't long before friendship ripened into courtship.
Fantastic Reports
Here we quote a paragraph from Mrs. Howard's and Miss Robson's book;
"It was at this time that fantastic tales began to reach England. According to reports, America was a regular fairyland, with trees that grew magic fruit and young pigs ready cooked with knives and forks in their backs crying, 'Eat me, eat me.' Of course Robert and Mary did not believe stories like that; but they thought of the possibilities of this new country and longed to see it.
Soon afterward, in May of the following year, the two were married, and much to the sorrow of their employer, they bid relatives and friends goodbye and set sail for America, landing on July 4, 1829, after a long and weary journey.
They spent a short time in Albany, N. Y., where both worked. Then they set out for the far unknown west by stagecoach. They finally located near what is now known as Belden. It was still little more than a thick forest woth no roads and only marked trees to indicate the way.
Plenty of Work
There Robert found plenty of work, for the early settlers were glad to have someone to help clear the land and build homes. There was just one difficulty for the young couple. No one paid in money. There was plenty of produce, meat, lard, soap, and so on, but if one wanted money, he had to seek employment elsewhere.
Some twelve miles away was Elyria, already a thriving community, and only 30 miles away was Cleveland, at
the mouth of the Cuyahoga. Although the families were still so few that the houses could easily be counted,
there was a mill to which Robert laboriously took some grain to be ground. While there he saw men busily at work digging cellars, cisterns and the like. He was told that men received money for their labors. So, when he returned home, he and Mary talked it over and decided that he was to go there to work so that he could earn enough money to buy land and begin the home of which they had both dreamed.
Child Is Born
Because it was so far away, Robert remained there for weeks at a time. This meant that Mary had to stay alone in the log cabin in the forest. It was here, in this lonely little spot, that their first child, Sarah, was born early in 1830.
One cannot blame Mary for hating to stay alone with her baby. Time and again she had begged Robert to let her live with one of the settlers, working for her board, but he would not give his consent. An incident which we again quote from the Wilson family history settled the question, however. The writers tell about it as follows:
"One night she (Mary) had an experience which she never forgot. It was nearing sundown, she had finished her evening meal, and little Sarah had been made comfortable for the night. As she was about to barricade the door as usual by putting their sea chest and other pieces of furniture across the door, she noticed a strange dog outside. She tried to drive him away but could not make him go , so she gave it up, and a little later retired for the night and fell
asleep. Sometime in the night she was awakened and on listening she could hear footsteps and the low growl of a dog. The night was clear and still, and the moon was shining brightly. As she looked out of the only window in the log house she could see a man moving along the shadows of the trees. Every time the man made any signs of coming nearer the house the dog growled and stood tense and unflinching. After several hours had passed the man realized ???
Mary always ended her story by saying, "God sent that dog to protect me and little Sarah that night".
When Robert came home the next time arrangements were made for her and the baby to stay at a Mr. Belden's.
He came for her in a horse and wagon, and Mary never went back to the cabin to live.
Built Log House
The following year, 1831, the couple bought some land on what is now Elyria-Grafton road and built a log house. A number of English families had settled there and the community became known as the "English Settlement". In February of 1832 a son, George, was born. He lived only six months. If one looks closely, and in the right place in the LaPorte cemetery, he can find the small stone slab that marks the baby's grave. On it he will find the name and date carved by Robert himself.
Five other children were born in that log house in the next 11 years. Then in 1843 a frame house was completed and the family moved in. Here six more children were born to the couple. One of these, a boy called David, lived only a few days but that still left ten children.
No one could doubt that Mary led a busy life. In addition to the regular routine of well-kept house, the family spun and wove, knit and sewed, made sheeting for beds, material for clothing, and yarn for stockings. In addition, they killed their own beef and pork, the latter furnishing a good supply of lard. They pared, cored, and dried apples. In a large kettle over a fire in the back yard they made apple butter. This took a lot of stirring to keep the rich red-brown concoction from sticking and many a night the girls went to bed with aching arms, but with an aroma which made their mouths water; lingering and giving a compensating promise of a delicious winter treat.
The parents were devout Christians who brought their children up to love and obey God. Robert found time to
serve as preacher and often held the preaching and prayer meetings in surrounding territories. At one time he preached regularly at the 'Brick Church' located just one mile west of Grafton at the junction of Indian Hollow Road. One of the families proud possessions is the Bible presented to him in appreciation for his kind services for he never accepted pay. This old church can still be seen today on what will be remembered as the old Ely Sheldon
farm. It is now a sort of rural tenement housing members of several families.
Heroic Couple
From this heroic couple, Robert and Mary Wilson, who braved a rough, untried world to make a home for the
coming generations. Have some many names which ring a familiar bell of memory today. Through marriage, such
family names as Fauver, Wight, Johnson, Wheeler, Robson, Ruder, and Webb have been added to the roll.
Given names, common to the family, have persisted through the years, and we find such characteristic ones as Abishai, Fidelia, Adalbert, Abigail, Angeline, Lucinia, and Belle occurring often.
Always these descendents have given good account of themselves in their communities, and the English couple who set forth for an adventure in the "land of promise" 120 years ago could well be proud of them.
The modern members of the family, on the other hand, have much to be grateful for in the heritage passed on from
Robert and Mary Wilson.
Not all of the early settlers who came to Grafton were New Englanders who received land through the Western Reserve draft or purchased tracts from the original owners immediately after the War of 1812. To them, it is true, goes the credit for taking the initial steps toward settlement. They came, cleared the land, organized the township, and started a growing community. They, like many others, achieved such success that it was not long until others in far countries heard of the ?land of promise? and began crossing the ocean, enduring long journeys by stagecoach, and adding their efforts to the building of a vast new section of great America.
Among those who left their homes across the Atlantic were Robert and Mary Tong Wilson, a newly wed English
couple who found their way to a settlement near what is now Belden. Their story, an interesting one, is completely reviewed in a history of the Wilson family, compiled by two of their descendants, Edith F. Howard
and Lucy M. Wilson of Grafton. It is from their book that we select incidents for our Grafton story this week.
The tale begins in the early nineteenth century in Hollym, a rural area in the rugged hills of southern Yorkshire, England. There in a modest home lived Mr. And Mrs. Robert Wilson of meager means but highly respected. There they reared their family of several boys and girls.
Loved The Outdoors
It is with Robert, one of the older boys, that we are concerned. Living in a rural area, he learned to love outdoor life. When he wanted to earn funds, he did chores for the neighbors. He liked to work with animals and when most of his friends left the country to work in gravel pits and mills, or when they were ?bound out? to learn a trade. Robert preferred to remain and work for the farmers. From his work on several small farms he gained the
experience which enabled him to accept a responsible job as manager of a large estate. At that time, 1827, he was only 21 but his employer gave ?????? men on the estate.
Shortly before Robert's arrival, some kind of fate had brought a young girl from Kenningham to be the head cook. Her name was Mary Tong. Robert hadn?t been there long before the maids began teasing Mary about the new
foreman, for although he was shy and a man of few words his attraction to Mary was evident. It wasn't long before friendship ripened into courtship.
Fantastic Reports
Here we quote a paragraph from Mrs. Howard's and Miss Robson's book;
"It was at this time that fantastic tales began to reach England. According to reports, America was a regular fairyland, with trees that grew magic fruit and young pigs ready cooked with knives and forks in their backs crying, 'Eat me, eat me.' Of course Robert and Mary did not believe stories like that; but they thought of the possibilities of this new country and longed to see it.
Soon afterward, in May of the following year, the two were married, and much to the sorrow of their employer, they bid relatives and friends goodbye and set sail for America, landing on July 4, 1829, after a long and weary journey.
They spent a short time in Albany, N. Y., where both worked. Then they set out for the far unknown west by stagecoach. They finally located near what is now known as Belden. It was still little more than a thick forest woth no roads and only marked trees to indicate the way.
Plenty of Work
There Robert found plenty of work, for the early settlers were glad to have someone to help clear the land and build homes. There was just one difficulty for the young couple. No one paid in money. There was plenty of produce, meat, lard, soap, and so on, but if one wanted money, he had to seek employment elsewhere.
Some twelve miles away was Elyria, already a thriving community, and only 30 miles away was Cleveland, at
the mouth of the Cuyahoga. Although the families were still so few that the houses could easily be counted,
there was a mill to which Robert laboriously took some grain to be ground. While there he saw men busily at work digging cellars, cisterns and the like. He was told that men received money for their labors. So, when he returned home, he and Mary talked it over and decided that he was to go there to work so that he could earn enough money to buy land and begin the home of which they had both dreamed.
Child Is Born
Because it was so far away, Robert remained there for weeks at a time. This meant that Mary had to stay alone in the log cabin in the forest. It was here, in this lonely little spot, that their first child, Sarah, was born early in 1830.
One cannot blame Mary for hating to stay alone with her baby. Time and again she had begged Robert to let her live with one of the settlers, working for her board, but he would not give his consent. An incident which we again quote from the Wilson family history settled the question, however. The writers tell about it as follows:
"One night she (Mary) had an experience which she never forgot. It was nearing sundown, she had finished her evening meal, and little Sarah had been made comfortable for the night. As she was about to barricade the door as usual by putting their sea chest and other pieces of furniture across the door, she noticed a strange dog outside. She tried to drive him away but could not make him go , so she gave it up, and a little later retired for the night and fell
asleep. Sometime in the night she was awakened and on listening she could hear footsteps and the low growl of a dog. The night was clear and still, and the moon was shining brightly. As she looked out of the only window in the log house she could see a man moving along the shadows of the trees. Every time the man made any signs of coming nearer the house the dog growled and stood tense and unflinching. After several hours had passed the man realized ???
Mary always ended her story by saying, "God sent that dog to protect me and little Sarah that night".
When Robert came home the next time arrangements were made for her and the baby to stay at a Mr. Belden's.
He came for her in a horse and wagon, and Mary never went back to the cabin to live.
Built Log House
The following year, 1831, the couple bought some land on what is now Elyria-Grafton road and built a log house. A number of English families had settled there and the community became known as the "English Settlement". In February of 1832 a son, George, was born. He lived only six months. If one looks closely, and in the right place in the LaPorte cemetery, he can find the small stone slab that marks the baby's grave. On it he will find the name and date carved by Robert himself.
Five other children were born in that log house in the next 11 years. Then in 1843 a frame house was completed and the family moved in. Here six more children were born to the couple. One of these, a boy called David, lived only a few days but that still left ten children.
No one could doubt that Mary led a busy life. In addition to the regular routine of well-kept house, the family spun and wove, knit and sewed, made sheeting for beds, material for clothing, and yarn for stockings. In addition, they killed their own beef and pork, the latter furnishing a good supply of lard. They pared, cored, and dried apples. In a large kettle over a fire in the back yard they made apple butter. This took a lot of stirring to keep the rich red-brown concoction from sticking and many a night the girls went to bed with aching arms, but with an aroma which made their mouths water; lingering and giving a compensating promise of a delicious winter treat.
The parents were devout Christians who brought their children up to love and obey God. Robert found time to
serve as preacher and often held the preaching and prayer meetings in surrounding territories. At one time he preached regularly at the 'Brick Church' located just one mile west of Grafton at the junction of Indian Hollow Road. One of the families proud possessions is the Bible presented to him in appreciation for his kind services for he never accepted pay. This old church can still be seen today on what will be remembered as the old Ely Sheldon
farm. It is now a sort of rural tenement housing members of several families.
Heroic Couple
From this heroic couple, Robert and Mary Wilson, who braved a rough, untried world to make a home for the
coming generations. Have some many names which ring a familiar bell of memory today. Through marriage, such
family names as Fauver, Wight, Johnson, Wheeler, Robson, Ruder, and Webb have been added to the roll.
Given names, common to the family, have persisted through the years, and we find such characteristic ones as Abishai, Fidelia, Adalbert, Abigail, Angeline, Lucinia, and Belle occurring often.
Always these descendents have given good account of themselves in their communities, and the English couple who set forth for an adventure in the "land of promise" 120 years ago could well be proud of them.
The modern members of the family, on the other hand, have much to be grateful for in the heritage passed on from
Robert and Mary Wilson.
English Couple Among The First To Settle In The Grafton Area
Not all of the early settlers who came to Grafton were New Englanders who received land through the Western Reserve draft or purchased tracts from the original owners immediately after the War of 1812. To them, it is true, goes the credit for taking the initial steps toward settlement. They came, cleared the land, organized the township, and started a growing community. They, like many others, achieved such success that it was not long until others in far countries heard of the ?land of promise? and began crossing the ocean, enduring long journeys by stagecoach, and adding their efforts to the building of a vast new section of great America.
Among those who left their homes across the Atlantic were Robert and Mary Tong Wilson, a newly wed English
couple who found their way to a settlement near what is now Belden. Their story, an interesting one, is completely reviewed in a history of the Wilson family, compiled by two of their descendants, Edith F. Howard
and Lucy M. Wilson of Grafton. It is from their book that we select incidents for our Grafton story this week.
The tale begins in the early nineteenth century in Hollym, a rural area in the rugged hills of southern Yorkshire, England. There in a modest home lived Mr. And Mrs. Robert Wilson of meager means but highly respected. There they reared their family of several boys and girls.
Loved The Outdoors
It is with Robert, one of the older boys, that we are concerned. Living in a rural area, he learned to love outdoor life. When he wanted to earn funds, he did chores for the neighbors. He liked to work with animals and when most of his friends left the country to work in gravel pits and mills, or when they were ?bound out? to learn a trade. Robert preferred to remain and work for the farmers. From his work on several small farms he gained the
experience which enabled him to accept a responsible job as manager of a large estate. At that time, 1827, he was only 21 but his employer gave ?????? men on the estate.
Shortly before Robert's arrival, some kind of fate had brought a young girl from Kenningham to be the head cook. Her name was Mary Tong. Robert hadn?t been there long before the maids began teasing Mary about the new
foreman, for although he was shy and a man of few words his attraction to Mary was evident. It wasn't long before friendship ripened into courtship.
Fantastic Reports
Here we quote a paragraph from Mrs. Howard's and Miss Robson's book;
"It was at this time that fantastic tales began to reach England. According to reports, America was a regular fairyland, with trees that grew magic fruit and young pigs ready cooked with knives and forks in their backs crying, 'Eat me, eat me.' Of course Robert and Mary did not believe stories like that; but they thought of the possibilities of this new country and longed to see it.
Soon afterward, in May of the following year, the two were married, and much to the sorrow of their employer, they bid relatives and friends goodbye and set sail for America, landing on July 4, 1829, after a long and weary journey.
They spent a short time in Albany, N. Y., where both worked. Then they set out for the far unknown west by stagecoach. They finally located near what is now known as Belden. It was still little more than a thick forest woth no roads and only marked trees to indicate the way.
Plenty of Work
There Robert found plenty of work, for the early settlers were glad to have someone to help clear the land and build homes. There was just one difficulty for the young couple. No one paid in money. There was plenty of produce, meat, lard, soap, and so on, but if one wanted money, he had to seek employment elsewhere.
Some twelve miles away was Elyria, already a thriving community, and only 30 miles away was Cleveland, at
the mouth of the Cuyahoga. Although the families were still so few that the houses could easily be counted,
there was a mill to which Robert laboriously took some grain to be ground. While there he saw men busily at work digging cellars, cisterns and the like. He was told that men received money for their labors. So, when he returned home, he and Mary talked it over and decided that he was to go there to work so that he could earn enough money to buy land and begin the home of which they had both dreamed.
Child Is Born
Because it was so far away, Robert remained there for weeks at a time. This meant that Mary had to stay alone in the log cabin in the forest. It was here, in this lonely little spot, that their first child, Sarah, was born early in 1830.
One cannot blame Mary for hating to stay alone with her baby. Time and again she had begged Robert to let her live with one of the settlers, working for her board, but he would not give his consent. An incident which we again quote from the Wilson family history settled the question, however. The writers tell about it as follows:
"One night she (Mary) had an experience which she never forgot. It was nearing sundown, she had finished her evening meal, and little Sarah had been made comfortable for the night. As she was about to barricade the door as usual by putting their sea chest and other pieces of furniture across the door, she noticed a strange dog outside. She tried to drive him away but could not make him go , so she gave it up, and a little later retired for the night and fell
asleep. Sometime in the night she was awakened and on listening she could hear footsteps and the low growl of a dog. The night was clear and still, and the moon was shining brightly. As she looked out of the only window in the log house she could see a man moving along the shadows of the trees. Every time the man made any signs of coming nearer the house the dog growled and stood tense and unflinching. After several hours had passed the man realized ???
Mary always ended her story by saying, "God sent that dog to protect me and little Sarah that night".
When Robert came home the next time arrangements were made for her and the baby to stay at a Mr. Belden's.
He came for her in a horse and wagon, and Mary never went back to the cabin to live.
Built Log House
The following year, 1831, the couple bought some land on what is now Elyria-Grafton road and built a log house. A number of English families had settled there and the community became known as the "English Settlement". In February of 1832 a son, George, was born. He lived only six months. If one looks closely, and in the right place in the LaPorte cemetery, he can find the small stone slab that marks the baby's grave. On it he will find the name and date carved by Robert himself.
Five other children were born in that log house in the next 11 years. Then in 1843 a frame house was completed and the family moved in. Here six more children were born to the couple. One of these, a boy called David, lived only a few days but that still left ten children.
No one could doubt that Mary led a busy life. In addition to the regular routine of well-kept house, the family spun and wove, knit and sewed, made sheeting for beds, material for clothing, and yarn for stockings. In addition, they killed their own beef and pork, the latter furnishing a good supply of lard. They pared, cored, and dried apples. In a large kettle over a fire in the back yard they made apple butter. This took a lot of stirring to keep the rich red-brown concoction from sticking and many a night the girls went to bed with aching arms, but with an aroma which made their mouths water; lingering and giving a compensating promise of a delicious winter treat.
The parents were devout Christians who brought their children up to love and obey God. Robert found time to
serve as preacher and often held the preaching and prayer meetings in surrounding territories. At one time he preached regularly at the 'Brick Church' located just one mile west of Grafton at the junction of Indian Hollow Road. One of the families proud possessions is the Bible presented to him in appreciation for his kind services for he never accepted pay. This old church can still be seen today on what will be remembered as the old Ely Sheldon
farm. It is now a sort of rural tenement housing members of several families.
Heroic Couple
From this heroic couple, Robert and Mary Wilson, who braved a rough, untried world to make a home for the
coming generations. Have some many names which ring a familiar bell of memory today. Through marriage, such
family names as Fauver, Wight, Johnson, Wheeler, Robson, Ruder, and Webb have been added to the roll.
Given names, common to the family, have persisted through the years, and we find such characteristic ones as Abishai, Fidelia, Adalbert, Abigail, Angeline, Lucinia, and Belle occurring often.
Always these descendents have given good account of themselves in their communities, and the English couple who set forth for an adventure in the "land of promise" 120 years ago could well be proud of them.
The modern members of the family, on the other hand, have much to be grateful for in the heritage passed on from
Robert and Mary Wilson.
Not all of the early settlers who came to Grafton were New Englanders who received land through the Western Reserve draft or purchased tracts from the original owners immediately after the War of 1812. To them, it is true, goes the credit for taking the initial steps toward settlement. They came, cleared the land, organized the township, and started a growing community. They, like many others, achieved such success that it was not long until others in far countries heard of the ?land of promise? and began crossing the ocean, enduring long journeys by stagecoach, and adding their efforts to the building of a vast new section of great America.
Among those who left their homes across the Atlantic were Robert and Mary Tong Wilson, a newly wed English
couple who found their way to a settlement near what is now Belden. Their story, an interesting one, is completely reviewed in a history of the Wilson family, compiled by two of their descendants, Edith F. Howard
and Lucy M. Wilson of Grafton. It is from their book that we select incidents for our Grafton story this week.
The tale begins in the early nineteenth century in Hollym, a rural area in the rugged hills of southern Yorkshire, England. There in a modest home lived Mr. And Mrs. Robert Wilson of meager means but highly respected. There they reared their family of several boys and girls.
Loved The Outdoors
It is with Robert, one of the older boys, that we are concerned. Living in a rural area, he learned to love outdoor life. When he wanted to earn funds, he did chores for the neighbors. He liked to work with animals and when most of his friends left the country to work in gravel pits and mills, or when they were ?bound out? to learn a trade. Robert preferred to remain and work for the farmers. From his work on several small farms he gained the
experience which enabled him to accept a responsible job as manager of a large estate. At that time, 1827, he was only 21 but his employer gave ?????? men on the estate.
Shortly before Robert's arrival, some kind of fate had brought a young girl from Kenningham to be the head cook. Her name was Mary Tong. Robert hadn?t been there long before the maids began teasing Mary about the new
foreman, for although he was shy and a man of few words his attraction to Mary was evident. It wasn't long before friendship ripened into courtship.
Fantastic Reports
Here we quote a paragraph from Mrs. Howard's and Miss Robson's book;
"It was at this time that fantastic tales began to reach England. According to reports, America was a regular fairyland, with trees that grew magic fruit and young pigs ready cooked with knives and forks in their backs crying, 'Eat me, eat me.' Of course Robert and Mary did not believe stories like that; but they thought of the possibilities of this new country and longed to see it.
Soon afterward, in May of the following year, the two were married, and much to the sorrow of their employer, they bid relatives and friends goodbye and set sail for America, landing on July 4, 1829, after a long and weary journey.
They spent a short time in Albany, N. Y., where both worked. Then they set out for the far unknown west by stagecoach. They finally located near what is now known as Belden. It was still little more than a thick forest woth no roads and only marked trees to indicate the way.
Plenty of Work
There Robert found plenty of work, for the early settlers were glad to have someone to help clear the land and build homes. There was just one difficulty for the young couple. No one paid in money. There was plenty of produce, meat, lard, soap, and so on, but if one wanted money, he had to seek employment elsewhere.
Some twelve miles away was Elyria, already a thriving community, and only 30 miles away was Cleveland, at
the mouth of the Cuyahoga. Although the families were still so few that the houses could easily be counted,
there was a mill to which Robert laboriously took some grain to be ground. While there he saw men busily at work digging cellars, cisterns and the like. He was told that men received money for their labors. So, when he returned home, he and Mary talked it over and decided that he was to go there to work so that he could earn enough money to buy land and begin the home of which they had both dreamed.
Child Is Born
Because it was so far away, Robert remained there for weeks at a time. This meant that Mary had to stay alone in the log cabin in the forest. It was here, in this lonely little spot, that their first child, Sarah, was born early in 1830.
One cannot blame Mary for hating to stay alone with her baby. Time and again she had begged Robert to let her live with one of the settlers, working for her board, but he would not give his consent. An incident which we again quote from the Wilson family history settled the question, however. The writers tell about it as follows:
"One night she (Mary) had an experience which she never forgot. It was nearing sundown, she had finished her evening meal, and little Sarah had been made comfortable for the night. As she was about to barricade the door as usual by putting their sea chest and other pieces of furniture across the door, she noticed a strange dog outside. She tried to drive him away but could not make him go , so she gave it up, and a little later retired for the night and fell
asleep. Sometime in the night she was awakened and on listening she could hear footsteps and the low growl of a dog. The night was clear and still, and the moon was shining brightly. As she looked out of the only window in the log house she could see a man moving along the shadows of the trees. Every time the man made any signs of coming nearer the house the dog growled and stood tense and unflinching. After several hours had passed the man realized ???
Mary always ended her story by saying, "God sent that dog to protect me and little Sarah that night".
When Robert came home the next time arrangements were made for her and the baby to stay at a Mr. Belden's.
He came for her in a horse and wagon, and Mary never went back to the cabin to live.
Built Log House
The following year, 1831, the couple bought some land on what is now Elyria-Grafton road and built a log house. A number of English families had settled there and the community became known as the "English Settlement". In February of 1832 a son, George, was born. He lived only six months. If one looks closely, and in the right place in the LaPorte cemetery, he can find the small stone slab that marks the baby's grave. On it he will find the name and date carved by Robert himself.
Five other children were born in that log house in the next 11 years. Then in 1843 a frame house was completed and the family moved in. Here six more children were born to the couple. One of these, a boy called David, lived only a few days but that still left ten children.
No one could doubt that Mary led a busy life. In addition to the regular routine of well-kept house, the family spun and wove, knit and sewed, made sheeting for beds, material for clothing, and yarn for stockings. In addition, they killed their own beef and pork, the latter furnishing a good supply of lard. They pared, cored, and dried apples. In a large kettle over a fire in the back yard they made apple butter. This took a lot of stirring to keep the rich red-brown concoction from sticking and many a night the girls went to bed with aching arms, but with an aroma which made their mouths water; lingering and giving a compensating promise of a delicious winter treat.
The parents were devout Christians who brought their children up to love and obey God. Robert found time to
serve as preacher and often held the preaching and prayer meetings in surrounding territories. At one time he preached regularly at the 'Brick Church' located just one mile west of Grafton at the junction of Indian Hollow Road. One of the families proud possessions is the Bible presented to him in appreciation for his kind services for he never accepted pay. This old church can still be seen today on what will be remembered as the old Ely Sheldon
farm. It is now a sort of rural tenement housing members of several families.
Heroic Couple
From this heroic couple, Robert and Mary Wilson, who braved a rough, untried world to make a home for the
coming generations. Have some many names which ring a familiar bell of memory today. Through marriage, such
family names as Fauver, Wight, Johnson, Wheeler, Robson, Ruder, and Webb have been added to the roll.
Given names, common to the family, have persisted through the years, and we find such characteristic ones as Abishai, Fidelia, Adalbert, Abigail, Angeline, Lucinia, and Belle occurring often.
Always these descendents have given good account of themselves in their communities, and the English couple who set forth for an adventure in the "land of promise" 120 years ago could well be proud of them.
The modern members of the family, on the other hand, have much to be grateful for in the heritage passed on from
Robert and Mary Wilson.
Family Members
Spouse
Children
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