Here is an excerpt from the recollections of Samuel Dutton taken down in 1887 when he was 84 years of age:
When the Dutton's came to Troy Township, it was an almost unbroken forest and there were but two families in the place. Benjamin Hoyt lived on the lot where Swaders cooper shop is and kept tavern in a little log cabin about 20' x 16', one and a half stories high; had about 6 acres cleared except the logs, they were cut down and trimmed up and the brush burned. Mr. Hoyt had about 12 acres cleared on Section 8 and the hill where Warrick Spencer's orchard now is. Mr. Hoyt had about two acres cleared right in front of Charles Curtis's barn, Then comes Jacob Humphrey at the mouth of Four Mile Run, he had a house put up and about two acres cleared and the best log house yet. Then the Ministerial lot or the Paulk settlement where there was about 30 acres cultivated. The the Barrows Richardson place and Federal, etc.
The forest abounded with wild game such as deer, bear, coons, foxes, wildcats, opossums, and turkeys by the hundred and some panthers and wolves. These animals such as deer, bear, turkey, and coon was the wild meat for the pioneers.
Changes last made on: 28 December, 2007 17:44