THEI
PAST OF YPSILANTI:
A DISCOUtSE
DELIVERED ON LEAVING THE OLD PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH EDIFICE,
LORD'S DAY, SEPTEMBER 20TH, 1857.
ALSO,
AN APPENDIX,
Contafnf.H  a 3ftor; of Scbools, Secret So rfetfes, Vc.
By G. L. FOSTER.
DETROIT:
FLEMING & DAVIS, BOOK PRINTERS,
No. 52 SHELBY STREET.
1857.
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NOTE.
This Discourse and its Appendix will be chiefly of local interest. I publish them at the solicitation of many who heard the Discourse, and of many
who were unable to get into the house at the time of its delivery, and of
many who wish to retain some such history of the town in which they live
as I have endeavored briefly to give.  To do what has been done, required
much more time than was at first anticipated. I have been much assisted
by persons, sufficiently indicated, perhaps, without naming them here. I
have exercised some patience in an endeavor to be accurate as to names and
dates, hoping that many will be interested in what is here recorded, and
that some stray copy will fall into the hands of him who writes the Oration
,of Ypsilanti's Centennial Celebration.
G. L. F.
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DISCOURSE.
IDEUT. VIII: 2. "AND THOU SHALT REMEMBER ALL THE WAY, WHICH THE
LORD THY GOD LED THEE, THESE FORTY YEARS IN THE WILDERNESS.
Have you ever noticed that this word "remnember" is a very
common one in the Bible? Were we to search out the passages
in which it occurs, we would be surprised to find how much it is
used; and we would more than guess that we had better obey
what it requires.
To remember seems an important part of human duty. God
himself, in numerous instances, calls upon men to remember
Him, His works of providence, and His wonders of grace. The
Patriarchs were often telling to their sons what they would have
remembered, and transmitted to generations following them.
Every Prophet fulfilled his mission, in part, by calling upon the
careless to remember the dealings of God with them, or with
their fathers before them. The Royal Psalmist and the Royal
Preacher both sing and preach of what would turn the mind,
and engage it in a profitable review. This was the special work
of John the Baptist-thus bringing men to repentance. This
was, in part, the work of Jesus.  He camre to call thought back
upon prophetical predictions, as well as to secure attention to
the evidences of His character and work; and, so the Divine
Spirit was to bring to remembrance, and make vivid those things
about which men are ever prone to evince a criminal forgetfulness. The Apostles were ever calling upon those who were
under their instructions, to remember how those going before
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4          Act va   gfgiat.3isrourt.e
them secured the Divine smile or the Divine frown, or how
themselves had been variously taught the Divine opinion of
human conduct.
To remember seems to be important for such a being as Man
He ought to remember now, while he can rectify many of the
mistakes of life. To remember, we have reason to believe, will
be a part of his blessed or dreadful employment for ever. To
call upon men to do this, should be a part of the work of the
Christian Ministry, especially where the Gospel exists and has
been long developing the fruits of its mission. Whoever can
best make men remember what they already know-whoever
can best engage them in hunting out in their minds what is al.
ready there, covered with rubbish,-is best qualified for useful
ness, other things being not very equal. The Philanthropist,
bending over the wretched objects of poverty and sin, can best
secure attention and do his work, by bringing memory to his
help.  He can thus excite Repentance and Hope-twin sisters
in rescuing the nearly lost. The Patriot can kindle a love of
country in the hearts of his fellow-men, and prepare them "for
victory or death," by rehearsing the deeds of the noble who
have gone before.
So, if one can bring to mind the principles and facts of the
divine kingdom-things already known, but out of sight behind
the clouds and dust of the passing present-he can do a blessed
service. He can induce both repentance and hope, and excite
in human hearts a zeal for God and His cause.
We have met this afternoon to remember. We meet to do
this, in part, whenever we assemble for religious worship; but
especially will our circumstances to-day suggest the propriety of
our doing this. As a Church and Society, we have probably
met here for the last time-this is to be our place of public
worship no more-another temple, through the blessing of a
gracious and helpful Providence, is waiting for our reception.
Some of you, even now, may be anticipating your entrance there;
you may be imagining where you will sit-what you will thinkand how you will feel; your feet may almost start, with desire to
..I' 
ett Vast of Epoilauti.-,  g istrs
tread those beautiful courts: but we are here yet; and it will be
most natural for us-just upon the eve of our departure-to
look back upon the past, and thus become properly purposed for
the future. A personal experience may have taught us that
"'Tis wise to talk with one's past hours,
And ask what report they've borne to heaven."
So may we be profited by such a brief review of the way in
which we have been led as a Christian people.
The language of Moses in the text seems appropriately addressed to us: "Thou shalt remember all the way, which the
Lord thy God led thee, these forty years in the wilderness."
Some of us have been nearly that length of time here; and some
may expect that they have nearly done with this wilderness
world, and are about to enter Canaan. We have been under
the same Providential Guidance that Israel was. If our way has
been crooked, it has been because of transgressions; and, if we
ever see "the goodly land," it will be because we have had much
forgiven us.
In order to remember the way in which we have been led as
a Church and Society, it will be best to look back beyond the
existence of Churches and Christian congregations. And as
other Churches and Societies than our own have had an existence parallel with ours, it will be well to consider this, and
whatever else may help in giving us a moral and religious view
of the "thus far" in which the Lord has led us as a Christian
people.  Just here in time, as about one generation has passed
away, I desire to chronicle what will be of more worth one hundred years hence, than now-more appreciated by our children's
children than by ourselves. We would let them know of the toils,
the trials, and the success of their fathers, in making this wilderness as a fruitful field. In respect to names, dates, and facts,
I have spared no pains to be as accurate as may be. If in any
of these I am mistaken, I will gladly be corrected.
YPSILANTI had not its beginning under the favorable circumstances which have blessed the planting of many Western towns.
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6          zct Vast of gsai.                 s rffrst.
It was not settled by "a colony" coming from the East-thoe
choice siftings of some New England community-bringing
their Minister and Teacher with them to lay foundations for God
and coming generations; its elements were very fragmentary,,
coming together for many purposes-some of them excellent,
and some worse than doubtful of good.
Although Detroit was one of the first settled places upon the.
great chain of American Lakes, this region, so near it, was left
to the undisputed occupancy of the Indians until about the year
1809. At that time Gabriel Godfrey, a Frenchman, accompanied
by Francis Pepin and Louis Le Shambre, established a tradingpost. The building erected for this purpose stood upon the
west side of the river, about where Mr. George Hill now resides,
At that time, and previously, the Indians regarded these banks
of the Huron with special favor. We can not wonder at the
taste of those Sons of the Forest.  They had a burying-ground
there just at the foot of the hill, where they believed they had
equipped many a warrior for the conflicts of his way towards
a better land. There was another, just at the foot of the hill,
near where Chauncey Joslin now lives, and where tradition hath
it that a human victim was once offered in sacrifice: but this is
not probable.
In the year 1811, about twenty-five hundred acres of land
were patented to the owners of this trading-post, under the seal
of President Madison, according to anl Act of Congress applying
to such cases. This tract is marked upon old maps as "French
Claims."  At first, this trading-post was profitable in a bartering business with the Indians; but after a few years, according
to treaty, they were removed so far to the westward that trade
amounted to less and less, until, in about 1820, it was entirely
given up, though the original traders remained here most of the
time. The place was then spoken of abroad as "Godfrey's on
the Pottowottomie trail." This was Ypsilanti's first name.
In the spring of 1823, Major Benjamin Woodruff, Robert M,
Stitts, John Thayer, and David Beverly came in as settlers;
Jason and Daniel Cross, with their families, and Mr. Peck with 
lie Vast of~ta~z               p istffrst          7
his, came in soon after. These all located about one mile southeast of the present village, where the farm of Chester Yost now
is; and the settlement took the name of "Woodruff's Grove."
David Beverly died during the following season-the first death
of a white man in the county.  All the above-named have gone
to their final account, except Mr. Stitts, who is now living in
Augusta, a few miles south of us.
These first settlers mostly came up the river, by the use of a
flat-bottomed boat propelled by poles.  For four or five years
this boat was much used; but the knowledge of a wharf here,
and notices that "Captain Stitts will leave" it on such a day,
have long since passed away. In respect to navigation, the
town has made no progress.
Soon after the settlement commenced at Woodruff's Grove,
two families by the name of Hall settled upon the west side of
the river, about opposite the Grove, who are said to have been
very wild and savage-like, calling themselves "the Kings of the
River."
In the autumn of 1823, Mr. John Bryan and family came in
from Geneseo, New York, with the first ox-team which ever
came through direct from Detroit. As Mrs. Bryan has recently
written an account of that journey, and of the state of things
here at that time, I am permitted to quote. Mrs. Bryan says:
"After a wearisome journey of four days, through the thick
woods and marshes-husband cutting the road before us with
an ax-we arrived at night on the beautiful Huron, October
23d, 1823. We got the privilege of staying in a log cabin with
another family, until we could build one, into which we moved
the last day of December. Eight weeks after this (February
27th, 1824), my son Alpha was born. We called him Alpha
Washtentaw-the latter name in honor of the county, and the
former on account of his having been the first child born in the
county. He was promised a lot of land, but never received it.*
* It is denied that this was the first born child-Captain Stitts claiming
that a daughter of his was some six months older than Alpha W. Bryan. 
8      tt Vast of Rvzilanti., P st8urt.
"It was amusing, the first fall and winter, to hear the corn mills in operation every morning before daylight. There were
two in the settlement.  They were made as follows: -A hole
was burned in the top of a sound oak stump; after scraping this
clean from coal, a stick, about six feet long and eight inches in
diameter, was rounded at one end, and hung by a spring pole
directly over the stump; a hole was bored through this pestle
for handles, and now the mill was done.
"A man would pound a peck of dry corn in half an hour, so
that half of it would pass through a sieve for bread; and very
little of any other kind of bread was used in the settlement for
two years. Sometimes, for weeks together, we had nothing to
eat but this sort of bread and potatoes.
"We saw but few Indians the first year; but the next summer
they came through our place by hundreds. Every morning
they would go to every house begging for something to eat.
As I was much alone, and a quarter of a mile from any house,
many times when I saw them coming I have instantly put my
table out of sight: I could not feed them without robbing my
children. It was enough to make one's heart ache to see the
condition of these poor Indians. Sometimes, there would be
six hundred in a drove, going to Detroit or Malden for presents,
which they would soon part with for whisky."
Surely this is a very different description than one would be of
the prosperous present! Those were trying times in respect to
temporal things. Every thing in the way of provisions, except
pounded corn, potatoes, and game, was obtained at Detroit, at
great expense, and brought through on pack-horses or up the
river by the scow boat. There were no mills nearer than
Detroit; and there, only wind-mills. The first mill here was
built of] logs by Major Woodruff in 1824.
On the Fourth of July, 1824, the day of our National Inde.
pendence was observed here for the first time, Major Woodward
taking great pains to have every inhabitant of the county pres ent. The whole number of adults was about thirty. Judge
Robert Fleming presided at the table. Opposite him was the 
6te  Vast  Df piti.               urs9.
Indian chief Blue-Jacket, who had come by special invitation.
Tle "field-piece" of the day was a solid oak tree, which is said
to have answered the purpose very well.
During the summer of 1825, Judge Woodward, of Detroit,
John Steward, and Wm. W. Harwood, bought out Godfrey, Pe-  v
pin, and Le Shambre, on the west side of the river, and laid out
a village plot, which they named Ypsilanti-a name beautiful to
us, though awkward and vexatious to strangers. From whence
this name came, and how it was suggested, may well enough
be mentioned.
It will be remembered that about this time the Greeks were
struggling to maintain their nationality against an invasion of
the Turks. In that struggle, the American people felt an intense
sympathy.
A condensed account of an incident occurring in that war
would be as follows:-The Turkish Commander, after marching
in triumph through nearly the whole length of Morea, came
down from Tripolitza with an army of nearly eight thousand
men, thinking to lay waste the plain of Argos, and to add the
city of Napoli to the list of his conquests. But in this he was
to be mistaken. Providence has often raised up men adequate
to His purpose, in the resistance of wrong. In this time of
peril, a noble Greek, named Demetrius Ypsilanti-who had lived
some time in retirement on account of ill health-rallied about
two hundred and twenty men, who like himself were ready to
'die, if need be, for their country, and went out to meet the
defiant and ridiculing enemy. There was no ridiculing long.
A very fierce conflict ensued.  The desperate leader, and his
desperate few, seemed to have each a hundred lives in them.
Almost miraculously, the little band triumphed. The tide of
war rolled back-thus far, and no further, could it come along
the plains of Argos. The name of "Ypsilanti" went up in a
shout of glory all over Greece-it went out through the archipelagoes, and crossed the ocean-it found a place in the songs of
patriotism in our Atlantic States, and rolled along the shores of
these Western Seas. Patriotic ears in this wilderness heard it,
9 
and to them it was so full of charm-so significant of true great
ness-that they would retain it.  So, by unanimous consent,
and in a general acclamation, they said, "Let our town be named:
Ypsilanti!" * And so it was- and( so it is- and so let it ever
be! There can be no desire to change away a name which is a
synonym of so much excellence. Let the town live, struggle,
and conquer-ever counting upon better qualities than mere
numbers.
Well, soon after the village was laid out, and named, settlers:
came in more plentifully, but not so rapidly as they now come
to some western towns. Facilities for traveling then, were very
different from now.  The Chicago Road, from Detroit here, was
not surveyed until the summer of 1825; and for many years
afterward, the traveling upon it was slow and difficult for most
of the year.
The town was at first attached to Wayne County.  Its magistrates and other officers were appointed by the Governor of
the Territory.  The first town meeting that I can find an account
of, was held at the house of Andrew MIcKinstry, who kept a
small hotel where the Worden Block now stands. This was in
the spring of ] 827, when Dr. Abel Millington was elected supervisor, and Asa Reading, clerk. The whole number of votes cast
was fifty-nine; and the township then comprised what has since
been divided into four. At the next town meeting, a bounty
was offered for the scalps of bears and wolves.  These animals
greatly annoyed the early settlers; the hideous howl of the latter
was a frequent sound at evening.
But what now do you think must have been the state of
public morals, and what the condition of religion?
We are prepared to anticipate that the picture, in respect to
these things, will not be very interesting.  The first trading
houses had been established, in part, for the purpose of trafficking withthe Indians in intoxicating drinks; and when permanent
settlers came in, they brought these "comforts of life" with
* See Western Literary Cabinet, Vol. X.
10         Eiid0t VaAtof5l~~i+             piXtd2urs. 
them.  To use these drinks, then, was more common everywhere
than now. The first settlers here were not religious men. For
several years, nobody lived here who could publicly pray.  The
first public prayer offered in the county was by Deacon Ezra
Maynard, in 1824, when passing throuLgh, with Colonel Rumsey,
to settle near where Ann Arbor now is.  There was no religious
nucleus around which the people might gather, and no strong religious heart radiating its infliuence for good. There was nothing
to make the Sabbath differ from other days of the week, except
that idleness was germinating and cultivating its natural fruits.
Those who created and controlled the public sentiment, preferred
to be free from religionis restraints; they wished to be restra;-ed
only from such excesses as would hinder the reputation fnd progress of their town.  This must have been, then, a Ward townbut no more so than many others were in those'times; nor than
many now are, growing up under the gomance of those who
have not taken the institutions of relig;on with them, and who
prefer to be without them.  CivilizeJion, without the Gospel, is
ever hurrying back into barbarism. The moral state of things,
so late as 1829, could not have been very desirable, according
to a statement I have recently received from the first missionary*
sent here fronm Net  York, though some religious people had
already come in. He says:
"I arrived at Ypsilanti on the third of October, 1829, and
found the people without a church, and in a deplorable condition. Almost the whole village, with few exceptions, were
given over to unrestrained indulgence in intoxicating drinks.
The holy Sabbath was openly desecrated by revelry, drunkenness, and the pitching of quoits on the banks of the river.
" The first Sabbath after my arrival-as they were without
even a school-house, or a public room for meeting-I met the
people in a private dwelling; but the fetid breath of intoxication sensibly impregnated and polluted the atmosphere of the
room. These things were literally true. I entered the field
* Rev. Wm. Jones, now of Neenah, Wisconsin.
itt Vast of
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under heart-sickening circumstances. I felt that nothing could
be done until the people were restored to sobriety. So, I in   vited different neighborhoods together, and read to them Dr.
Beecher's sermons on "The Use of Intoxicating Drinks." Atten   tion was arrested; a temperance society was formed at Ypsilanti;
and from thence the temperance reformation spread through the
county."
This, surely, is not a very flattering description to such as
ay yet be sensitive concerning the early reputation of their
'4ome.  But a number, to whom I have shown it, have thought
it'bout true.  It is possible that the author of this statement
had aXimpression that things here were full as bad as they really
were, from a circumstance which may be Danmed as evidence of
the fact that there was fblt to be a need of reformation.
About the tim. this missionary came, through the influence
of certain ones, the pople generally had come to think that there
was too much drinking fr the prosperity of the town. Emi   grants, after stopping for a Ay or two, would pass on; so it was
resolved that the drinking shouid. end off with a grand time,
on a certain day, and that then all should sign the pledge. Well,
just about when this grand time was bein'gnjoyed-when drink   ers had drank rather excessively, and som&temperate men had
been forced to taste a little-the missionary came along, on foot,
to do the work of his mission.  One cries out  "Tiere's another
man!" another says -" Hold on, boys, I guess he is a minister!"
"Never mind," says a third, "grab  him."  A general rush was
made, but as heads were reeling and feet not very nimble, some
missed him, and others fell headlong. His reverence was soon
seen in the distance, giving unmistakable evidence of speed, while
the rabble were crying out "Catch him! Catch him!"  This was
rather a novel way of receiving a missionary; but something like
this has often occurred in the history of the Evangelization of
the West.
Whether that was the last "grand time" of that kind, we
have not been able to learn. But soon after, in the early part
of December, 1829,[a temperance society was organized, which
12       Ei Tnext Df                pilazt-    5t2urst. 
during the winter became very popular, and was productive of
great good.
From a letter written January 3d, 1830, I am permitted to
take the following extract.
"I have just returned from one of our interesting temperance
meetings. Several articles were read, and remarks made by Dr.
Hays, Esquire Darling, and others. This cause is becoming popular here. It was proposed by Esquire Darling, and supported
by E. M. Skinner, about four weeks ago, to form a Society. Thirty-five members have already enrolled their names. So you see
we are getting to be a sober people. I assure you the effect
is already apparent. Many persons come three or four miles to
hear of this matter."
No doubt much good was thus done, so that a better day was
dawning on the community. A competent witness, in describing things as they were here when he came, in the summer of
1830, says: "When I came to Ypsilanti, the leading men, with
but few exceptions, were infidels. Infidelity was bold and rampant; intemperance, Sabbath-breaking, and profanity were awfully prevalent; the moral and religious influences of the place
were few and feeble. A few prominent men, from the first, gave
their attendance on the means of grace, and aided in the support
of the Gospel; but a far larger portion were in open and decided
opposition, and seemed determined that the Gospel should not
be planted there. Some of this class were afterwards converted,
and some have gone to their dread account."*
The Gospel was introduced-and it became "the power of
God" in the accomplishment of a blessed work for this people.
The Sabbath school had already commenced its quiet, but
foundation, work among the young. The first Sabbath school
in Ypsilanti was commenced in July, 1828. It was held in a
log building about sixteen feet square, standing where the
dwelling of Wm. R. Post now stands. There were present fourteen children and five adults-not much like our Union Concerts
* Rev. I. M. Wead, of Chicago, Ill.
Ett VaRst of Rpsilauti.-,l gistourst.
13 
now. No one was living in the village then, who would open
the school with prayer.  E.M. Skinner read a chapter from the
New Testament.  The children were divided into two classesone taught by Mrs. Mark Norris, the other by Mrs. Doolittle.
This school was soon discontinued because of sickness.
In the spring of 1830, it was re-organized by Rev. Mr. Gurley,
a circuit minister, and was held in what has been known as the
"Old Red Building," of which we shall have much to say byand-bye. It stood a few rods west of where Mrs. McKinstry
now resides. It was erected by Salmon Champion, a man
yet remembered for his public spirit, as well as for his sympathy
for the afflicted. All denominations sent their children there, to
Sunday school. But later in the season, the Rev. Ira M. Wead
organized a Sabbath school, in connection with the Presbyterian
Church, and auxiliary to the "American Sunday School Union."
That school has been continued to the present time. The
Methodists, with their scholars, about this time commenced to
meet in the school-house on the east side of the river, where Mr.
Charles Woodruff now resides-another place of which we shall
make frequent mention, as being a common temple for education and religion. Other Sabbath schools have sprung up from
time to time, and all of them have gone on prosperously and
harmoniously.
We come now, naturally, to the history of the Churches,
which, for the sake of convenience, will be given of each Church
separately.
METHODIST.
As would be expected, there were not many people here,
before they were searched out by the " itinerating system" of
the Methodist Episcopal Church. As a messenger of religion,
the Circuit Minister would be likely to be the first to visit the
destitute, with anything like systematic effort. For this kind of
work, the polity of this denomination is admirably adapted.
As early as the year 1825, "Woodruff's Grove" was one of
the preaching places of Rev. Elias Pattee. Here, he is said to
14 Et Vast of gistourst. 
'have formed "a class" of five members- which was the first
Religious Society in Washtenaw County. This Territory, at that
time, was under the jurisdiction of the Ohio Conference. VWoodruff's Grove was upon what was termed "Huron Circuit," which
extended from Detroit to "beyond Jacksonburgh." This Circuit was narrowed down, and named "Ann Arbor Circuit," in
1830; and then again narrowed, and named "Ypsilanti Circuit,"
in 1832. In 1837, Ypsilanti became a Station, and has continued
so until the present time.
From the days of Pattee toward the present, I can not give
you a full list of those who followed him, nor of their faithful
lay-helpers; but soon after Mr. Pattee, came the Rev. John A.
Baughmian, in the autumn of 1826, whose thundering voice so
echoed through the forests, that he was termed "Jolin the
1I ethodist crying in the wilderness."  He formed "a class," of
which Asa Rice, and some others yet living, were members.
Eleazer Smith was its first "leader."  Mr. Baughman generally
preached at the house of Isaac Powers, Ypsilanti's first postmaster, who, though not a Christian, was a man of public spirit
and some generous impulses.
After Mr. Baughman, the older among you will remember
the names of Cooper, Gurley, Sayer, Eliott, &c. You will remember the shrill and earnest notes of a then youthful Pilcher,
and the mild and pleasant manner of a Colclazer. Since Ypsilanti became a station, its ministers, in succession, have been:
Wesley J. Wells, J. H. Pitsell (a name or two I lack here), Oscar
North, Elijah Crane, Mr. Champion, Elliott Crippen, George
Taylor, W. F. Cowles, T. H. Jacokes, Seth Reed, W. G. Stonix,
F. A. Blades, and J. S. Smart.
The first regular place of worship for the Methodist congregation here was the Brick School-house on the east side of the
river, which was built in 1829, and used to stand in the midst of
a beautiful grove, which was much enjoyed by the congregations
in summer when they were too large for the occupancy of the
house; but the grove has long since given way to the raising of
potatoes. In that schoolhouse, and around it, many commenced
Thkt last uf             p~l~t+ 3 istfust.X
15 
16        itt Vast of g                 storst.
their Christian life, and many enjoyed the richest seasons of their
pilgrimage.
In 1831, the foundationswere laid for a brick church.  (That
is it which is now the South School-house, on the east side of the.
river.) The walls were put up and the roof on, but from financial inability, the work was so delayed that the house was not,
occupied until 1835. In 1832, this congregation had a Society
regularly organized according to Statute.  About the time ot
entering that edifice, many who had previously worshipped with
that Society, withdrew, because other Societies for which they
had a preference had sprung up, and were getting well under
way.  For this reason, and some others, natural to unsanctified
human nature, the congregation did not seem to flourish greatly
for a number of years. And yet there were frequent refreshing
seasons.
In March, 1843, in a season of revival, when the church was
densely packed,- the floor gave way, when such a scene occurred
as will be better imagined than described. A general impression had obtained that the walls had spread, so that the house was
not safe; when the crash was heard, many therefore thought that
the roof and all were coming down. However, not many were
injured, and none fatally. Rev. W. P. Judd was preaching at
the time, and meetings were continued for some days and evenings in succession, at first in the Presbyterian Church, upon invitation, and afterwards in the loft of a store-house owned by Mark
Norris. It has been thought that as many as one hundred were
converted during that revival. Some of you may have been
of that number. The Society, for most of the summer following, worshipped in the chapel of the Seminary, another
building of which we will have much to say, when we come to
speak of Educational interests.
After the accident above alluded to, the question was, "What
shall we do for a church?" The old one needed much repairing,
and would not, at any rate, be large enough. Few men had
ready means to spare. Dr. T. M. Town, seeing the condition
of the Society, and feeling in some measure the obligation of his 
17
Christian stewardship, steps forward and proposes to build such
a house as would meet the necessities of the congregation, provided the Society would pay for it, as they might be able, in purchasing pews. So that house, in which the Methodist Church
now worship, was commenced on the twenty-eighth of March,
1843, and completed in September of the same year. Its Dedicatory season was one of great gladness.
Since that time, the Church and Society have generally pros
pered. A fine Parsonage was purchased in 1853, which is now
about paid for.
The present officers of the Church are: Rev. George Smith,
Presiding Elder; Rev. J. S. Smart, Pastor; Benjamin Thompson,
T. Showerman, IH. Compton, N. Philips, J. P. Foster, and A.
Bennett, Stewards; William Jarvis, L. Beach, A. Guild, E. D.
Whittemore, and Charles Fleming, Leaders.
The present number of communicants is three hundred and
sixteen.
EPISCOPAL.
In respect to the Episcopal Church, the first thing I am able
to find is that Mr. Cornish would assemble a few, to whom he
would read "the Service" of this Church and sometimes a sermon. This was as early as 1828. In the same year, Rev. Mr.
Corey, of Detroit, would come out and preach occasionally; and
after him, Rev. Richard Berry came a few times. The early
ministers of this Church, as well as of some others, found a welcome home with Arden H. Ballard, whose house, unless that
of Mark Norris shall claim the same honor, was a sort of " minister's hotel."  Both, it seems, ever kept a "prophet's chamber."
In 1830, while the Territory was yet under the ecclesiastical
jurisdiction of Bishop McIlvaine, of Ohio, the Rev. Silas C. Freeman came here as a missionary. He organized a Church of about
ten members, and named it St. James. For a time, he was
faithful and useful, a man of marked native ability; but becoming addicted to the use of strong drink, and falling more and
more into the power of that enemy which has slain its thousands
B
,art Vast of lpsiianti.-A Ristottrot.
v
v 
of the great'and good, he sent in the resignation of his ministerial privileges voluntarily, from a conviction of his unworthiness. To accept of that resignation was one of the first duties
of the present Bishop. Those were dark days to such as cared
for this branch of "the Church Universal."  Mr. Freeman has
recently died in this vicinity.
After him, came Rev. Charles Reighly, under whose ministry the present Episcopal Society was formed in 1837, and by
whose influence the name of the Church was changed from St.
James, to that of St. Luke. The reason for this re-organization
and change was, the impression that in becoming entirely new,
there might be a hope for a new impulse and a better prosperity.
Under the pastorate of Mr. Reighly, the society proceeded to
build a church edifice, which was consecrated July 3-d, 1838,
though the spire and the pews were not finished till 1842. After
serving the Society about two years, Mr. Reighly resigned, and
went South, where he is now President of Columbia College, in
the State of Mississippi.
Next came Rev. H. P. Powers, who entered upon the duties
of his rectorship in June, 1840. The Church was still Very
small, having but fifteen communicants, and the Society was
weak and embarrassed. The duties of a Rector were arduous,
involving- as is not uncommon in new countries - the responsibilities also of Sexton, Collector, and Warden. A few faithful
helpers were willing to do what they could. After a pastorate
of more. than six years, Mr. Powers resigned in the month of
September, 1846.
After being supplied occasionally by neighboring ministers,
the Society succeeded in securing the services of Rev. John A.
Wilson, the present Rector. Mr. Wilson commenced his labors
in July, 1847- coming down from Ann Arbor, and returning,
generally on foot, for the first season. Under his ministrations,
the Church has grown steadily and permanently, while the Society has been able to accomplish what but few Societies in the
West can rejoice in.  In proof of its vigor, the stranger needs
only to be pointed to its tasteful and substantial church edifice,
18      A9t Vast of  Pile3istoxtrt. 
by the side of which stands such a Parsonage as every Pastor
can not call his home.
At a meeting of the Vestry, in March, 1856, it was resolved
to "enlarge and improve" the then existing church edifice.  At
subsequent meetings the matter was under discussion, until it
was finally purposed to build entirely anew, but upon the same.
place of the old church. This purpose was carried into effect in
the erection of the church in which the congregation now worship, which was consecrated on the twenty-eighth of June, 1857.
Its architects were Jordan & Anderson, of Detroit; its contractors were Pattee, Griffin, Curtiss, Boyd, and Foster.  Its size is
ninety-three by forty-five feet; height of spire, one hundred and
twenty-eight  feet. The cost of the church, with the furniture it
contains, was about $15,000. Its new bell-the first one owned
by the Society-joins its voice harmoniously with that which has
long rung out its solitary notes from the spire of the Old Presbyterian Church. We shall see which other Church will have
the honor of filling out a trio.
The present officers of the Episcopal Church and Society are:
Rev. John A. Wilson, Rector; Benjamin Follett and George
Hill, Wardens; Benjamin Follett, H. G. Sheldon, C. King, F.
N. Clark, J. M. B. Sill, C. Joslin, Geo. Hill, M. A. Parks, M.
,Cook, and J. W. VanCleve, Vestrymen.
The present number of communicants is eighty.
BAPTIST.
The Baptist Church here did not commence its existence as
"early as many other Churches of that order around us. It was
about the fiftieth in the Territory, and the twentieth in the
-'River Raisin Association," with which it was at first connected.
It was organized, in October, 1836, by Elder J. S. Twiss, then
residing at Ann Arbor-a man well remembered for his eccen-tric faithfulness. Previous to this time, there had been Baptist
preaching occasionally by such pioneers as Boothe, Powell, and
Loomis.
%it Vast of igsiinti.-Cl istourst.
19r 
At its organization, the Church consisted of the following
members: Abraham Clawson, Eleanor Clawson, Alatthias Lyon,
W. E. Stille, Mrs. Stille, Talmon Brown, George Guthrie, Mrs.
Guthrie, Phoebe Guthrie, Melinda Lay, Sily Lay, Ilannah Crossitt, Phoebe Hiscocks, Mary Sabin, John Conant, and Charlotte
Stewart. W. E. Stille was chosen Clerk, and Abrahamn Clawson
and Matthias Lyon were elected Deacons. Elder John Goff was
chosen their first Pastor, and he labored with them "in word
and doctrine" for two years.  He is yet living in this vicinity,
well ripened in grace, and waiting and wondering that he is not
called home.
After Mr. Goff, Elder Samuel Jones became the minister in
1838, and remained but little more than a year. About this
time, there arose an unhappy division in the Church, which many
will yet remember with sorrow. It arose because of doctrinal
differences in opinion, and practical variances in measures. However, a revival of religion, in which the Pastor was assisted by
Elders Weaver and Simmons, will also be remembered as shed
ding light upon what would otherwise be a very gloomy period
of the history of this Church.
After Mr. Jones, came Elder J. Keyes, who remained but
one year.  During his residence here, there occurred another
revival, which Elder Robert Powell speaks of as follows:
"On the twelfth of July, 1839, as I was riding on an agency
for the' State Convention,' I was persuaded by the unanimous
request of the Baptist, the Methodist, and several efficient members of the Presbyterian Church, to suspend my agenvcy, and
conduct a series of meetings on union principles.  I continued
with them fourteen or fifteen days, until my health failed. A
good work was enjoyed. Our meetings were held in a small
brick meeting-house on the east side of the river; everything
proceeded with the utmost harmony. Ten were added, by baptismni, to the little Baptist Church, and a much larger number to
both the Methodist and Presbyterian Churches. Many said,
in my hearing, that Ypsilanti had never enjoyed such a time
before."
20 Sit Vast of istourst. 
After this, the Church was for a time without preaching,
except occasionally. A want of agreement as to what kind of
ministerial characteristics they desired to employ, and their
pecuniary inability, led many to be well nigh discouraged. But
in the spring of 1843, there came to be a good degree of unity,
in calling Elder L. H. Moore to become their Pastor   The
result showed that this choice was well ordered.  The Society,
which had previously worshipped in the school-house on the east
side of the river, now purchased the old brick church of the
Methodists, and so repaired it as to worship there three or four
years.
In June, 1846, an attempt was made to raise funds for the
erection of a new church.  The effort was successful; and a con
tract for building was taken by Deacon I. N. Field.
During the early part of 1847, the congregation worshipped
in the chapel of the Seminary, which was then owned by Elder
Moore. On the seventeenth of June, in that year, a new church,
standing where the present one does, was dedicated. Sermons
,were preached by Elders Piper and Ten Brook, and an interest
was added to the occasion by the presence of some returned
missionaries.  In October of that year, the "State Association"
met with this Church.
Those were days of joy and prosperity; but dark ones were
near at hand.  Elder Moore left, in the summer of 1849, sunder
ing many very tender ties; and on the night of the twenty-third
,of December, their church edifice was consumed by fire. Imagine the grief of those who loved Zion; imagine the surprise of
those who the next morning came in firom the country to worship; imagine the depression of those who had toiled and sacri.
ficed in building what h:-d so suddenly flown away. There was
weeping in public, as well as secret places. But the community
felt a deep sympathy, and the work of re-building was soon
commenced.
A few weeks previous to the burning of the church, Elder S.
A. Taft had commenced to preach to the congregation, coming
over from the University to do so. He continued his servics
,art Vast of fpsilaittx- 3 ist-aurst.
21 
about two years.  On the fourth of September, 1850, another
church edifice was dedicated-that is it which the Society'
now elevating and enlarging.
In October, 1851, Elder E. Curtiss became Pastor. His d'r
pensation will be remembered because of a revival, in which he
wa  assisted by Elder Edwards, the Evangelist.  After Mr.
.urtiss, Elder Taft came a second time, and remained two years.
Of these years I need say little, as they are in remembrance by
most of you.
After Mr. Taft, came Elder W. P. Pattison, the present Pastor,
who commenced his labors in October, 1855; and under whose
influence, by the Divine blessing, the prosperity of the Church
and Society is known and read of all men.
The present officers of the Church and Society are: Wm. P.
Pattison, Pastor; Talmon Brown, S. W. Pattison, Jno. Rorison,
Jno. Lake, Deacons; T. Brown, L. W. Lake, S. W. Pattison,
John Lake, H. Holmes, M. Clawson, J. Dolbier, S. H. Dimick,
and O. M. Smith, Trustees; I. F. Cary, Clerk.
The present number of communicants is one hundred and
ifty4two.
PRESBYTERIAN.
In searching out the history of the Presbyterian Church, we
find that Rev. Nbah M. Wells, of Detroit, came out and preached
here a few times in 1827-8. By this time, a few had come into.
this vicinity who had previously been attached to Presbyterian
and Congregational Churches. These sometimes met for prayer
and the reading of sermons-E. M. Skinner being the reader.
In July, 1829, Rev. Wm. Page, of Ann Arbor, organized a
Church consisting of the following persons: Clement Loveder,,
Ruth Loveder, George McDougel, Mary McDougel, Daniel
Russell, Cornelia Russell, James Fleming, Martha Fleming,
Mrs. Mary McMath, Miss Roxanna McMath, Mrs. Sarah Whit
more, and Joseph Brown- twelve in all. Previous to the next,
communion, Mrs. Polly Carr, Miss Hannah Carr, Miss Nancy
Carr, and Orin Derby were added.  The latter was chosen,
!22 If-tt Vast of 
%wke fast f -Igoiaiti.-A Liszt
Clerk, though I have been unable to find anything of his recording. This organization took place in the front room of "The
Grant Building," on the corner of Congress and Washington
Streets.
The Church seems to have been definitely Presbyterian; at
its beginning, it was called Presbyterian, but had no elders,
until about three years after its organization. Its business and
discipline were conducted Cozngregationally; and from this fact,
probably, the Society connected with it came to be called "The
First Congregational Society of Ypsilanti."
Mr. Page came and preached to this little band a number of
times- chiefly in a school-room about where Mr. Sampson's
store now stands.
In October, 1829, Rev. William Jones came as a missionary,
and commenced to labor zealously in promoting a temperance
reformation, as well as in preaching the Gospel. A room was
fitted up, belonging to John Bryan, and now occupied by Mrs.
Davis, where he preached during the following winter. He also
preached statedly at Dixboro', Mullett's Creek, and Stony
Creek-traveling on foot.  In the spring of 1830, he held "a
protracted meeting" at Mullett's Creek, in the log house of
Deacon Ezra Carpenter-a man eminent for faith and good
works.  Some yet living here, walked to "Carpenter's Corners,"
evening after evening, to attend those meetings-and some
were not as much benefitted as they-ought to have been; but
about thirty persons were hopefully converted, mQst of whom
united with the Presbyterian Church, on the last Sabbath of
May, the day which closed the labors of Mr. Jones here. By
the solicitation of the Home Missionary Society, he went further
into the Territory, organizing Churches at White Pigeon, Niles,
Prairie Round, Kalamazoo, Otsego, Allegan, Battle Creek, and
Paw Paw. At that time there were but six Presbyterian minis
ters in Michigan.  The "Presbytery of Detroit" covered the
whole Territory and the indefinite "North-west" beyond.
Mr. Jones's first sermon here is said to have been from the
text, "Fear not, little flock-it is your Father's good pleasure
23 
24        Act Vot  of fpsilati.-A ~istou~ st.
to give you the kingdom."  And his last one-as expressive of
his opinion of providential teachings-was from the words, " Up,
get ye out of this place, for the Lord will destroy it."
Soon after Mr. Jones left, Rev. Ira M. Wead, then a young
man in the bloom of health, having just finished his theological
studies, came to employ the strength of his best days in helping
to fulfill here the promise, that "the wilderness and the solitary
place shall be glad, and the desert shall rejoice and blossom as
the rose." He commenced his labors the first Sabbath of July,
1830, taking for the text of his sermon, "Behold, I have graven
thee upon the palms of my hands. Thy walls are continually
before me."
At this time, the congregation commenced to worship in the
"Red School-house," which, as before noticed, stood west ot
Mrs. McKinstry's, and about opposite to the present Old Presbyterian Church. With that house are associated many precious
recollections. Many were greatly blessed there; some have
gone to heaven, and some such are yet lingering among us.
The congregation, at first, was made up almost entirely of persons from the country-some coming in with oxen, and some
on foot, for six and seven miles. When Mr. Wead came, only
three of the members of this Church resided in the village.
These were Orin Derby and his wife, and Mrs. Whitmore, the
wife of Judge Whitmore, who kept a public house on the bluff
where the Tooker Block now is.
Those were days of "small things," but the Lord's face was
turned towards his people for good. The young minister and
his Church felt their dependence. They had a work before them
in which they could hope to accomplish nothing alone. They
were willing to be used, but they sought the Divine help, as
their chief reliance. They did not seek in vain. In the autumn
of 1831 occurred, what some of you will yet remember as "the
first revival in the Red House." This commenced while the
Presbytery was holding its first session here. Rev. Mr. Warriner preached from the text, "The redemption of the soul is
precious."  The impression was deep.  A work of grace com. 
'a Va st of fpsitawti.- 3  t5ist  t.
menced and went on, the Pastor being assisted by Rev. Messrs.
Warriner, Hornell, and Clark.  People  came  from Wayne,
Monroe, and Lenawee Counties to attend the meetings, and
many carried the sacred fire home with them. There were
added to the Church, so that it soon numbered seventy-five
members.
Up to August 6th, 1832, the Church had been governed Cor
,qregationally; though Deacon Carpenter, who had been an
Elder in a Church east, had sometimes represented this Church
in the Presbytery. Many had come to think that it was really
a Congregational Church.  So at this date, upon the Church
Records, I naturally find the following minute: "On the question, What form of government shall this Church adopt? it was
moved and seconded that it adopt the Presbyterian form, and
assume the name of The First Presbyterian Church of Ypsi.
lanti." After discussion, this motion prevailed; and after prayer
for Divine direction, Ezra Carpenter, Mason Hatfield, Jacob
Bacon, and James Loomis were elected Elders.  From that time
to the present, there has been kept a regular record of the
doings of the Session.
On the fifth of October, 1833, the following persons, members
of this Church, requested letters for the purpose of forming the
Presbyterian Church at Stony Creek: Elder Mason Hatfield,
Azubah Hatfield, Cyrenius J. Dewey, Luna Dewey, Lucinda
Rowley, Allen Crittendon, Emily Crittendon, Daniel W. Russell,
Cornelia Russell, Henry Albright, Catherine Albright, Elisha
Pratt, Lucy Pratt, George McDougal, Mary McDougal, and
Mary Wickam- seventeen in all. The request was granted;
and thus commenced a Church, between which and this one
there has ever existed such a sympathy as the relation of each
to the other would indicate as proper.
In the autumn of 1834, Mr. Wead was formally installedthus becoming the first Pastor of this Church. The Rev. J. P.
Cleaveland, then of Delroit, preached the sermon; and Rev. A.
S. Wells, then of Tecumseh, gave the charge to the Pastor.
Rev. C. G. Clark, then and now of Webster, gave the charge
25 
26         ikf           jsit ogoi t.-   FOog i.
to the people. The installation was followed by a series of religious and temperance meetings.  Upon the latter subject, 3Mr
Cleaveland appears to have been both amusing and powerful.
He will be thus remembered in many towns through the Stat
In order that we may see what progress this cause had made
here by this time, I will extract from a letter written December
21st, 1834: "Mr. Wead has recently been installed over this
oongregation, at which time the Church held a protracted meeting of four days-temperance meetings on three evenings. Mr.
Cleaveland, of Detroit, was the principal speaker-a host in this
cause. He addressed the people as to their temporal interests,
and kept the house in bursts of laughter, or anon in tears, at
his eccentric stories. Eighty became members during the three
meetings, so that we have now nearly five hundred  names."
About this time, a Territorial Temperance Society was formed,
having Austin E. Wing for its president, and Mark Norris one
of its vice-presidents.
The winter of 1855-6 was distinguished for a revival of religion, adding about fifty to the Church. In the November prvious, there had been observed a number of days of fasting and
prayer, in reference to the low state of religion, and in respect
to the appointment of more Elders. After Monson Clark, Percival W. Sage, William R. Post, and John Geddes, had been
elected and ordained to that office, there was a faithful visitation of the Church; which, with the use of other divinely appointed means, were productive of the commencement, and continuance, of such a work of grace as many of you well remember.
Now the congregation had become so large, that they very much
desired the completion of the Church edifice which had already
been commenced.
As early as the fourth of October, 1830, "The First Congregational Society of Ypsilanti" had been organized according to
Territorial Statute. Ezra Carpenter, Timothy Darling, Elias M.
Skinner, Jacob Bacon, Salmon Champion, Jr., and Arden H. Ballard, were its first Trustees. This Society has had the control
of the financial affairs of the congregation worshipping with 
the Presbyterian Church, from that day until this. It had little
to do at first, except to attend to the support of its ministers, in
which it was helped by "The American Home Missionary Soci,
ety" for four years- amounting to the sum of six hundred
and fifty dollars in all-which has long since been refunded
in contributions.
In 1832, a committee was appointed to see what could be done
toward building a house of worship, and where it could be loca'
ted. This committee reported so favorably, that it was resolved
to build a house forty-six by sixty-four feet, upon lots purchased
of John Philips; and here the matter rested for two years, when
it was again resolved to push the work forward. The Society
seemed to lack an efficient leader-a difficulty it has been slow
in getting over.  Abraham Voorhies, Charles Stuck, and Monson Clark were appointed a "Building Committee."  For some
reason, this ecommittee soon resigned, and P. W. Sage was ap
pointed in their stead, to superintend erecting and finishing th
house, which was attended with many difficulties incident to a new
settlement.  When the frame was ready, it was difficult to find
men enough to raise, it without the help of intoxicating drinks.
It is said that when two bents were up, a wind blew them down,
and that the wicked, down town, sent up a shout of triumph, in
sympathy with "the Prince of the Power of the Air."  The
raising of the timbers for the spire was very difficult, because
but three or four men could be found who dare work so80 Aigh
However, the building was at last finished; and on November
23d, 1836, the house which we are now leaving, as an old one,
was dedicated to the service of God. Rev. Wm. Page preached
the sermon. A printed programme was passed through the
congregation, containing the hymns, &e. From this I learn, that
in the evening of that day, a temperance meeting was held, and
addresses were made by Dr. Gibson, the State Agent, and others
A curious parody was sung upon that occasion, from which I will
extract the first verse:,
"From Sorrow's icy mountains,
From Misery's burning stand, 
28           Z f            f Vilasti.-3  oisttrt.
Where Rum's delusive fountains
Roll down our happy land;
From many a flowing river,
From many a dreary plain,
They call us to deliver
Their friends from ruin's chain."
Such a mutilation is a flagrant outrage upon sacred associa tions, however good the cause it was intended to promote. - It
is very much like punning with Scripture phrases. That ap.
pears to have been "an high day" unto this Church; but as it
often h:.s been, with a people entering upon the enjoyment of
new privileges, spiritual prosperity did not keep pace with tem poral. Even until now, the "old red building" may be remem bered by some of you as the place where you have received the
best blessings of all your Christian pilgrimage. That old build-ig, which was often "persecuted for righteousness' sake," by
stones and brick-bats, will be thought of much in the day of final
judgment. When it ceased to be occupied by this congregation, it was moved down town, and afterwards destroyed by
fire; but a great many things connected with its existence are
imperishable.
Of the prosperity of the Church after entering the new house,
Mr. Wead sa~s: "The first year, 1837, was a season of great stupidity, only two uniting with us by profession. In 1838, a re.
freshing season was enjoyed, resulting in the addition of fourteen.
In 1839, there was an addition of twenty-five. During 1840,
the year of the great politioal campaign, spiritual death reigned;
and even through most of 1841. In the very last of that year,
there was evidence of the special presence of the spirit. During the winter, a revival of considerable interest was enjoyed.
Fourteen, as the fruits, united with the Church. Another revival was enjoyed in the winter of 1843, resulting in the addition
of twenty-six on the profession of their faith."
In February, 1844, the following persons took letters from
this Church, and organized the Presbyterian Church at Canton:
Jared Stevens, Charlotte Stevens, Amos Stevens, Mary Stevens,
Jos. Stevens, Frances E. Stevens, Martha Stevens, Perry Stevens, 
,gtkt Vast of #s~ui3istfrs~t.                    29
Orrin Stevens, Louisa Stevens, Amos Stevens 2d, Thomas W.
McKee, Adelia McKee. Thus went out a second colony.
From this time, for two or three years, the Church passed
through some unpleasant cases of discipline. For most of the
year 1846, the pulpit was supplied by Rev. H. H. Sanderson,
while the Pastor was absent on account of ill health.
Before and after the Pastor's return, the question of dissolving
the relation between him and his people was agitated.   As
would be expected, or rather as is too commonly the case, much
occurred which ought never to have been; and when the pastoral relation was finally dissolved by the Presbytery, in July,
1847, it need not be wondered if the congregation and the
community were deeply moved. To tear a tree up by the roots
which had been growing for seventeen years, would, of course,
disturb the soil in which it stood. Much will cling to it; and
very likely some of the elements of the soil where it stood will
become so displaced as never to find their native place again.
We do not say, however, but such a removal may sometimes
be desirable; but it needs to be undertaken with great gentleness and care. May all who in respect to that matter did, said,
or thought anything wrong, be graciously forgiven of God, and
have grace to forgive one another! Mr. Wead's last sermon
was tender and affectionate, from the words "Wherefore I take
you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all
men; for I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel
of God."  We are glad in having him with us today.
In the autumn of 1847, Rev. Edward Marsh was engaged as
a Stated Supply. He served the Church and Society with faithfulness and acceptance two years. His memory will ever be
sacredly cherished l1y many whom he led, or sought to lead, to
Christ. He is now a successfiul Pastor in Illinois.
As several vacancies, by this time, had occurred in the Session, it was moved, on the third of December, ] 849, to fill them,
and also that, hereafter, Elders be elected for a limited time.
These motions prevailed; and the existing Elders tendered their
resignations, that there might be an entirely new election. After 
30        z V  ast of   iaili.-3   isturst.
due consideration, and prayer, the following were chosen: John
Geddes, Jacob Bacon, James Loomis, John Howland, Thomas
S. Hill, and Calvin P. Frost. Two of these were to serve for
one year, two for two years, and two for three years-making
it necessary to elect two every year. Thus commenced among
us what is termed "the rotary eldership."
At the beginning of 1850, the Church and Society extended
a call to the Rev. Ebenezer Cheever, then of Tecunmseh, to be.
come their Pastor. This was accepted; and the installation
services took place, Rev. J. H. Agnew, D.D., preaching the
sermon, Rev. W. S. Curtiss, D. D., delivering the charge to the
Pastor, and Rev. A. Scofield charging the people.
Mr. Cheever continued his labors until the early part of 1854,
then his pastoral relation was dissolved.  His dispensation as a
minister to this people, seems to have been distinguished for
quietude, and such a steady progress as would be likely to char.
acterize one of his age and experience.
In April, 1851, E. A. Pitkin was elected an Elder for the first
time. In April, 1852, D. B. Green, and ill April, 1853, Charles
Thompson, were elected Elders for the first time. After Mr.
Cheever's dismission, the pulpit was supplied for six months by
Rev. J. D. Pierce, who will long be remembered for his able
expositions of the Prophecies.
In the summer of 1854, negotiations were had with the prepsent Pastor, to come and labor among this people, in view of a
permanent settlement, whenever it should seem desirable. He
commenced his labors on the first Sabbath in October. A formal
"call" was presented in June, 1855, which was accepted; but
for reasons given, the pastor preferred that the public services
of installation be delayed-and so they have been, even unto
the present. It is expected that these services will occur during
the present week, if Presbytery think favorably.*
* These services occurred September 23d, 1857. After the dedication
services of the new church in the afternoon, in the evening the installation
occurred as follows: Invocation and reading of Scripture, by Rev. Robert
McBride, of Howell; first prayer, by Rev. Seth Hardy, of Stony Creek; ser 
,ar Vast of                   pbrou 3Ut rst.    Si
Previous to the coming of the present Pastor, much was said
of the desirableness of building a new church.  It became, however, more and more evident. that such a work was demanded,:
by the size of the congregation and the rapid growth of the
town, and by the fact, too, that the old house had lost its original centrality of position.  So, at a Society meeting, June 26th,
1855, after discussing the question of erecting a new church
edifice, it was resolved, "That the Trustees be requested to
make, or procure to be made, a plan of a house suitable for this
congregation, and also to issue a subscription for the building of
said house, and report at a future meeting." Messrs. Charles
Shire, D. B. Rorison, D. Showerman, L. D. Norris, E. Morton,
and Rev. J. D. Pierce were appointed to associate with the
Trustees in the above object. On the twelfth of June, 1850,
those thus appointed reported so favorably, both in respect to
pln and means, that the Trustees were instructed to proceed
forthwith in the work of erection.  Deloss Showerman, Mark
Norris, Walter B. Hewitt, and Isaac N. Conklin were appointed
to associate with the Trustees in this work. Accordingly, on the
morning of the next day, the corner-stake was set for that church
edifice which we now hope soon to dedicate to the service of
Almighty God.  In respect to construction, the plan drawn by
George S. Greene has been carried out. The dimensions of the
house are fifty-five by ninety-six feet, with a lecture-room in the
rear twenty-three by fifty feet.  The height of the spire is one
hundred and sixty-two feet. The entire cost, including the lots
upon which it stands, has been about sixteen thousand dollars.
The contract for building was first taken by John Ferier; but
the work had not proceeded far, when he was removed by death.
Hils brother, Philo Ferier, carried out the agreement. The
under-contractors have been, Eber Patee, Joseph Griffin, J. B.
mon, by Rev. George C. Curtiss, of Adrian; installing prayer, by Rev. Hiram
Elmer, of Chelsea; charge to the pastor, by Rev. H. D. Kitchell, of D)etroit;
charge to the people, by Rev. Ira M. Wead; benediction, by the Pastor.
These exercises were interspersed by singing, under the leadership of Mr.
Town, and very much enjoyed by a large congregation. 
32         z2~  Vas       t of gpsilautx-,A ~iofur.
Dow, M. Jones, Nicol Mitchel, Andrew McDuff, James Boyd,
J. W. Flowers, Moses Lespronce, and P. Haskell-all of whom
have done their work honorably and satisfactorily to us. The
last named, was painter upon the old church, twenty-one yea rs
ago. We have reason to bless that Providence who first inclined
to build, and who has prospered the work to completion without
serious accident. The Building Committee have been so faithful
in their trust, as to deserve the commendation of the congregation. Few are aware of the time spent by some of the members
of this committee, and for no other reward than the approbation
of conscience in "setting forward the work of the Lord."  This
is the richest compensation in kind that any can have, this side
eternal rewards. Christ yet sends men into his vineyard; and
he promises and pays them wages.
Many will be interested in seeing how many have been added
to this Church in each year of its existence; so I have made out
the following table, which will clearly indicate years of prosperity
and years of adversity.
In 1830, 35 were added.
"1831, 30  "       "
"1832, 24  "       "
"1833, 44  "       "
"1834, 10  "       "
" 1835, 72  "      ",
"1836, 43  "       "
"1837, 24  "       "
"1838, 55  "       "
"1839, 22  "      "
"1840, 20  "       "
"1841, 22  "      "
"1842, 29  "       "
1843, 39  " 
1844, 15  "      "
The whole number is seven hundred and forty-five.  Many
of these have gone to other places, and many have gone to give
an account of their stewardship. I can not name all these, nor
can I write such a memorial of them as is written upon many of
your hearts. Of your Pastors, and Stated Supplies, none have
In 1845, 11 were added.
"1846, 31  "       "
"!847,  6  "
"1848, 9  "        "
"1849, 7,
"1850,  8  "       "
"1851, 6  "        "
" 1852,  7  "
"1853, 29  "
"1854, 7  "        "
"1855, 56   "    "
" 1856, 15  "      "
"1857, 40  "       "
745 
,tt Vast af Irsilliti.                     33sture.
yet been called from time.  Of such as have been Elders, only
three have died-Hatfield, Carpenter, and Sage.  Of the first
two, Mr. Wead says: "It seems to me, no other Church ever
embraced two such men. In their temperaments and natural
characteristics, they were exceedingly imlike; and yet grace had
made them in many respects very much alike. Humility, meekness, faith, and love were exhibited by each of them in an unusual degree. Both were active, consistent, and faithful-' chief
helpers' in the Gospel." The usefulness which characterized
Deacon Sage, particularly in the earlier years of his residence
here, will be well remembered. The sun of the afternoon of his
day, however, seemed shrouded in sadness; and it is saddening
to think that he was cut down and removed by a frightful disease, which shut him out from those manifestations of sympathy,
which otherwise would have comforted his dying hours, and
clustered around his grave. But we will hope that he is done
with clouds, and pestilence, and death. Two of those first
elected Elders, yet survive. The night of their day is near.
May they improve the passing hour. More than half of those
who first constituted this Church are yet living. But how soon
it will be said, "they all have gone!"  How diligent they should
be "redeeming the time!"
The present officers of the Church are: Rev. Gustavus L.
Foster, Pastor; Jacob Bacon, John Howland, John Geddes, C.
P. Frost, E. A. Pitkin, D. B. Greene, Thos. S. Hill, and Charles
Thompson, Elders; Wm. Cross, F. K. Rexford, D. B. Greene,
E. D. Lay, L. D. Norris, Philander Stevens, Trustees of the
Society.
The present number of members, is two hundred and sixty
six.
We have now briefly gone through with the history of the
Churches. The Roman Catholic Church here has almost no
history. Priests have come in from abroad, from time to time,
to encourage the few of this faith who have gathered around
them. In the spring of 1856, an effort was made to erect a
c
33 
34         1tt Vat O  gpIl ti.-, Fittest.
tastefully planned edifice.  The walls and the timbers for the
roof were put up, and there the work has rested. Hope is yet
entertained that it will be completed during the present autumn.
May this people come more and more to understand the independence of the human will-the sacred rights of the human
conscience- and that they need no other Mediator than "the
man Christ Jesus," who bore the sins of the world in his own
body on the tree.
From the survey thus far taken, are we not helped to appreciate the worth of the Gospel?  What would Ypsilanti have
been but for it, and its religion? God, in the blessed plan of
his redemption, has bent over us; and by it He has lifted us up.
It is well for us to look back, as we have been doing to-day,
and to remember all the way in which He hath led us for nearly
these forty years in the wilderness. Both by fire and by cloud
He has been guiding us toward Canaan. We will acknowledge
this, and tell it to our children. "What shall we render unto
the Lord for all His benefits?" Well,
" Our lips shall tell them to our sons,
And they again to theirs,
That generations yet unborn
May teach them to their heirs."
Our moral and reliious history is fuill of interest to us. It will
be more so to generations yet to come.  A few years hence
when some of the trembling forms before me shall have gone to
their last resting-place-to gather many of the facts to which
you have listened, would be an impossibility. I have been to
these, and virtually said, "Tell me of some of the chief things of
your pilgrimage here-how a gracious and bountiful Providence
has led you these many years in the wilderness. Tell me, what
an appreciative future will wish to know, of your toils and sub
cesses, and I will transmit what will keep you alive after you 
4lite Vat of fsilnti.-, -        isturs~t.   35
arei dead-alive in the thoughts and affections of a grateful posterity."  When the deeds of a lifetime are what they ought to
have been, they are a precious legacy left to those we love.
The first planting of what will grow through all time, and reve
its ripened fruit inketernity, is of infinite interest.
"'T is not the whole of life to live,
Nor all of death to die."
To live, is to influence-to die, is to begin to reap the consequences. My hearers, we have about done with using this
sacred place for the purposes contemplated in its erection; but
we have not done with the consequences of influences which
have here been operative. No, no! Consequences will be contemplated far hence, with infinite joy or infinite sorrow. The
Christian sanctuary, in this world, stands at the point of two
ways, eternally diverging. Some will there hear Mercy's voice,
and start for the bosom of God; some will turn a deaf ear, and
start for eternity's night of despair. Oh, may this be the case
with none of you who have here heard the Gospel! May this
be the case with none who go in and out at the temples of worship in this favored community. May the general attention to
the externals of religion here, be followed by such an internal
work of God's grace, as will fit us to worship in that temple not
made with hands, eternal and in the heavens.
But it is time for us to rise and go hence. Our hearts are
reluctant.  This is a sacredplace. Hallowed associations endear
this house to us, though dilapidation and decay are everywhere
impressed upon it. Here some of you first heard the Gospel's
joyful sound, with ears opened by the Spirit's power,-here you
made that consecration which commenced your service to God,here you were baptized in the name of the Holy Trinity, and
entered into covenant with God and his people, -here some of
you have paused for a little, with funeral processions, as they
have borne your loved ones to their last earthly resting-place.
Oh, how many, many things help to make an old sanctuary
sacred! It is the dearest house of earth. It is above the old 
36      iett         Vas t  o s iiso.-r st.
homestead where we were born-it is a half-way house between
that and our Father's house above. It seems to stand, by Divine
appointment, as a resting, refreshing, place between the two,
homes-the earthly and the heavenly. So this has stood, and
many pilgrims have enjoyed it; but having answered its end, we
must bid it adieu, and use another in its stead. 
APPENDIX.
SCHOOLS.
We have not given a full picture of the Past of Ypsilanti, until we
have briefly sketched the history of its educational interests.  For thre,
it is having its chief distinction, and in no small degree its sustenance
find growth.  I shall not be able to give the names of all who have here
'occupied the noble position of teachers; but among such as I shall name,
will be found many who are at present among our chief citizens, and many
who are now occupying places of highest honor and responsibility in
other places.  Whoever is a successful teacher, gives evidence of ability
to be many things else of great service to his generation.
The first school taught here was by Miss Hope Johnson, at "The
Grove," in 1826-7. In 1828, Miss Miriam Brooks, who afterwards mar"ried Rev. Mr. Frazer, taught a few small children. In the winter of
1828-9, Mrs. Mark Norris kept a "select school" in her own house. In
the summer of 1829, a school was kept for a time by a Mr. Hovey, of
whom I can learn but little. In 1830, Miss Ruby Cannon, afterwards
Mrs. Freeman, kept a girls' school in a part of Mr. Harwood's house,
which stood where Mr. Kilpatrick now lives. In 1831, Miss Laura Vaill,
now Mrs. Blackman, taught in the then new Brick School-house, on the
east side of the river, which has been so frequently noticed in the history
of the Churches. In speaking of the spirit of the people in erecting that
building, Rev. E. H. Pilcher has recently said: "They had already begun
to develop that interest in education which has since characterized them."
-In the autumn of 1831, Grove Spencer taught an evening school in the
office of E. M. Skinner; and in the summer of 1832, "a select school" in
the Red School-house on the west side. In 1833, Miss Emily Wead,
~afterwards Mrs. Salmon Champion, taught on the east side. In September, 1834, Miss Ruth Parker, who afterwards married Rev. Mr. Worthington, opened "a young ladies' select school " in a room over the shop
,of Mr. Vanderbilt.  She was succeeded, for a year, by a Miss Granger
tow the wife of Dr. Smith, of Toledo-and she by a Miss Clark, who ia 
ttt Vast of
yet remembered by her pupils for her unusual amiability and success a&
a teacher. She afterwards married Mr. Murdock, who is now a city
missionary in New Orleans, though she died here in 1842. In 1834,
Miss Amanda G. Nichols, now Mrs. Buck, taught on the east side.  In
1836, Dennis Hammond commenced teaching here, and taught successfully, at different times, for several years. In 1837, Chauncey Joslin
taught in the White School-house, on the west side.  In 1845-6, A. C.
Blodget taught for a year and a half in the South Brick School-house, on
the west side, and afterwards for a term in the Seminary. And nowthat I have mentioned the name of
"1 ECe %emnfnar-,"
I must briefly sketch its history. In order to do this, it will be well to.
speak of the common school interests generally in the Territory at that
time. This I can perhaps best do in the language of one of our own
citizens (Mr. Charles Woodruff), whose knowledge in this matter will
not be questioned. "The general financial embarrassment of 1836 overthrew the most splendid speculations of a perfect system of education
that were ever formed. The munificent grant of lands for the University
and Common Schools was then a new thing in the legislation of Con-.
gress, and the people were expecting very great things. While the
speculative period continued these lands were apprized, with everything
else, at an almost fabulous price; and endowments by these funds were
counted far into millions of dollars. Great anticipations were formed of
the University, especially; and corresponding plans were set on foot.
Well, the revulsion came; and all these mighty projects fell, in the common ruin. The State relieved the disaster to the University interests,
by issuing one hundred thousand dollars' worth of bonds, upon which
this enterprise was kept under way, and the payment of which (or rather
the remission of which) debt now occasions a struggle about as often as
the Legislature assembles.  Common schools, however, received no such
relief. From the anticipation of schools supported nearly or quite by
the interest of the school fund, the people were obliged to fall back upon
their own voluntary efforts, and at a time when every other interest was
prostrate. The amount, divided by scholars; was no inducement to
maintain a school for the period requisite to entitle a district to its share.
Few houses were built, and those recently erected stood, in a number
of instances, useless. Wages for teachers were merely nominal; and in
not a few instances, districts allowed their houses to be occupied by
whomsoever would undertake to teach for whatever he could obtain
from his patrons. Education relied solely upon the enterprise of citizena
and the self-denial of teachers."
38 
19tt vast-,Of # xlni-3 bx.39
Such being the state of things generally, such was very much the
state of things in Ypsilanti from 1836 onward for a number of years.
Private schools would start up and flourish, more or less, for a time, and
then die away. At length, one, in 1840, seemed to take a firmer hold,
and to promise more endurance. Its proprietor and Principal was
Francis Griffin, from New England, who opened at first in the Sessionroom of the Presbyterian Church, and afterwards moved to a building
which stood about where Mr. Vail's Bakery now is, known then as "the
Nunnery." After a while it was thought that, in respect to teaching
the Classics, he promised rather more than was fulfilled. This fact made
it easy for a Mr. Landreth to start a Classical School here. Many students of the discontinued "Branches of the University," seeking to
resume their studies, came to this school, so that it was very full for a
time. In this school, Mr. Charles Woodruff became an assistant, taking
the higher classical classes. At the beginning of 1844, Mr. Landreth
removed to Detroit, and Mr. Woodruff opened an "Academical School"
where his printing office now is.
At this time, there stood far out of the village, north, a large brick
edifice, which in the days of speculation was intended for a hotel, to be
at the junction of the Tecqmseh and Michigan Central Rail Roads. It
was termed one of the "three follies" of the town- "the Nunnery"
being another, and the frame, of which Mr. Ross' house is but the kitchen, being another. This brick would-be-hotel was thought to be of
doubtful ownership for a time, as many things in Michigan were after
the crash of 1836.  At length it fell into the hands of the "Detroit Land
Company," and then was cared for by Charles W. Lane. But what to
do with it seemed to be an unsettled question. Mr. Woodruff had often
urged upon the friends of education here, the importance of securing
that building for educational purposes; but as his suggestions were not
readily seconded, he determined to carry out his cherished purpose alone.
So he rented it for several terms, making it one special object of his
school to improve district school teachers, as is evident from his advertisement-and perhaps I ought to say that then Ypsilanti began to be
known as the Normal School town of Michigan; at any rate, as the place
to which to look for the best of teachers.  This "Academical School"
was so prosperous, that some looking on had thoughts of making it
greater, and more distinguished than it now was.
So, much to the surprise of Mr. Woodruff, from whom the matter had
been kept a secret, Rev. L. H. Moore purchased the building, issued his
hand-bills, and opened a school which became incorporated in 1845 as
the "Ypsilanti Seminary." This Seminary continued to be under Mr.
Moore's supervision until 1848, when the building was purchased by
School District No. 4. Among the teachers employed by Mr. Moore, 
40  ast of 
the following will be well remembered: Prof. W. L. Eaton, Nathaniel
West, Jr., L. F. Covel, Edward Fenney, James Duncan, Miss Gray, Miss
M. B. F. Brown, Miss Louisa Brown, Miss Delia Brown, Geo. P. Tindle,
and Mr. Howell.
Soon after the Seminary came into the hands of the District Board,
Rev. M. S. Hawley was invited to become Principal. He was assisted
more or less for a number of years by Miss Rogers, Mr. E. J. Mills, Miss
Clapp, Miss Comstock, Miss Powers, Prof. O. A. Jackson, Miss Norris,
Miss Clayton, Miss Loomis, Miss Morton, Miss Rice, &c. Of the success
of the school after it was taken by the district, I can give you a good
idea by quoting part of a letter sent to the Superintendent of Public
Instruction, bearing date April 30th, 1852:
"This school was organized in October, 1849, under a special act of
legislation, authorizing the directors to adopt any system which would
not conflict with the General School Law. It was a bold, and in many
respects an unprecedented, experiment, undertaken by our district alone,
and involying an amount of pecuniary responsibility which nothing but
zeal in the cause of education could have induced its projectors to assume,
and which nothing but great faith in the feasibility of their enterprise
could have justified them in assuming.
"In October, 1851, two years from the time the school was organized,
a second district united with the first, and since then it has been sustained by the united efforts of the two districts; still leaving two others
in our village which have not seen fit to unite with us. (These have
united in 1857.) While under the control of a single district, it was
known as a model school; but soon after the union of the two, there then
being no school in this part of the country which afforded advantages
superior to those of the common school, it was deemed advisable to
extend the course of instruction, not only that our own children might
receive a thorough and practical education at home under the parents'
immediate attention, but also as an inducement for pupils from abroad
to become connected with the institution. In this respect, it is believed,
we have gone beyond most institutions in this and other States.
"In a large majority of the union schools in the State of New York,
the course of instruction is limited to that of the common district school,
while but few give the advantages of a Classic, or even an extended English, course. Owing to this deficiency, they are in many instances compelled to support, as separate schools, both an Academy and a Union
School. We have aimed to unite both of these in one; and how far we
have succeeded, the present condition of the school will show. From its
character, the privileges it afforded, and the large and comprehensive
course of study then adopted, it insensibly, and by a kind of common
consent, became known as "Union Seminary," which name it has since 
lf;tf Vast of #gsxlaix.-3tnhz.41
borne without, it is believed, giving offense to other Seminaries, or
bringing discredit upon the name. If it is the first institution of the
kind which has assumed this well-merited distinction, it is to be hoped
that it will not be the last; for surely such schools, taking the rank and
doing the labor of seminaries, in our populous and enterprising villages,
are the hope of the State, not only as seats of academical learning, but
as preparatory schools for our University.  There are now in the University at Ann Arbor a number of students from this school, several of
whom entered one year in advance.
"Our school year is divided into two terms, of twenty-two weeks
each; and each term into two quarters, of eleven weeks. At the close
of each term, there is a thorough examination; and at the close of the
third quarter, there is an exhibition also. What public spirit has done
in Ypsilanti, it will do elsewhere; and if others see anything commendable in our example, we trust it will be speedily followed in other places,
and the advantages of a liberal and thorough English and classical educa
tion be placed within the reach of numbers by whom it can not now be
obtained." *
Since the date of this extract, the Seminary has continued its work
even more prosperously than before. Its teachers have been adapted to
give it efficiency and notoriety, so that it never has been so prosperous
as during the past year.
In April, 1853, the Board secured the services of Rev. Joseph Esta.
brook as Principal, and associated Miss H. N. Cutcheon with him in the
control of the school. These, with their helpers, have been successful
in securing good order and progress in study. The names of underteachers have been, Charles Bowen, James Gilluly, John Gilluly, W. W.
Foster, Datus Brooks, S. M. Cutcheon, Eliza Shier, Mrs. Mary Halbert,
Miss Emma Fairchild, Miss Lucy A. Post, Mrs. E. H. Green, Eliza Hamminond, Laura L. Murray, Sabra Murray, Harriet Culver, Frances Stocking, Sarah E. Warner, A. C. Timpson, Louisa Waldron, Betsey Fisher,
Clarissa Fairchild, Malvina Jenny, A. J. Kishlar, Emma Champion,
Fidelia Philips, and Miss Carpenter.
On Sunday morning, March 29th, the Seminary building was found
to be on fire. In spite of the vigorous efforts of the citizens, it soon lay
in ruins. Hundreds of sad hearts were there; but the enterprise of this
people was equal to their emergency. Places were soon found for the
continuance of the school. The entire village became consolidated into
one district, which said: "Let us now build such a house as we need."
So there is now raising, "phoenix-like," an edifice which is to be second
to none other in the State for the purpose for which it is erected. This
* C. Joslin, See. Die. Board. 
Ztt V ast of #
edifice consists of a main building, forty-five feet and four inches, by
ninety-four feet and four inches deep, with a wing at each end, thirty
even feet and four inches, recessed back thirteen feet from the front
The entire frontage is one hundred and twenty feet and eight inches
There is a basement nine feet deep. The first story is twenty feet ia
height, and the second and third stories are fifteen feet each. The style
of the building is Roman, with Italian bracketed cornice. The outside
elevations are all of one height, and have a bold projection, supported
from the frieze by heavy carved brackets.  The doors and windows have
large molded caps, and the roof is mounted with three large cupolas
Jordan & Anderson were the architects; Mitchel & McDuff were the
contractors.         (         A         l                     a       a
The town surely will now lose none of its well-earned distinction for
educational advantages. Our present undertaking is a great one, and a
good one.  For what else than such undertakings ought we to live? Our
children will rise up and call us blessed.
ate State Nornxmat Acool.
This school was established by an Act of the Legislature, approved
March 28th, 1849.   Under this Act, which appropriated twenty-five
sections of "Salt Spring Land" for the purposes of this school, a committee of three was appointed to locate it and superintend the erection
of buildings. This committee consisted of Rev. Samuel Newbury, Hon.
Samuel Barstow, and one other, who located the school at Ypsilanti,
where the largest sum had been pledged for the purpose above named.
Thirteen thousand and five hundred dollars, besides the lot, were subscribed by the citizens of this place and its vicinity, which sum was
guaranteed by fifty of the most wealthy mjnen here. The raising of this
sum was the result of the toil of but a few, whose energy and perseverance are apt to be the pledge of success in anything they undertake.
That edifice, which proudly overlooks the town, and which is justly
proudly appreciated by it, was erected in 1851-2. It is of brick, one
hundred by fifty-eight feet, three stories in height, with a basement for
furnaces. The first story is divided into a model room, with entries, reception, library, and recitation rooms. A Normal School room, with
similar arrangements, occupies the second story; and the third story is
very similar to the second. W. H. Saunders was the builder.
On the fifth of October, 1852, about twelve hundred persons assembled in the upper story of the building, to attend its dedicatory services,
which were as follows:
1. Reading of the Scriptures, by Francis W. Sherman, Superintendent
of Public Instruction.
42 
stt'Ft of p4
2. Prayer, by Rev. Seth Reed, of Ypsilanti.
8. Dedication Hyimn, written by D. Bethune Duffield, Esq., sung to
music composed by C. Irwin.
4. An Address, by the Hon. and lRev. J. D. Pierce, first Superinten    dent of Public Instruction in the State of Michigan, and now a
resident of this vicinity.
5. Remarks were made by Hon. Isaac E. Crary, President of the
State Board of Education; and an Address was delivered to the
Principal of the school, by Hon. Chauncey Joslin, in behalf of
the Board, which was appropriately responded to by Prof. Welch
After singing, the assembly was dismissed wlth the benediction, by
the Rev. E. Cheever. At three o'clock in the afternoon, an Address of
marked ability was delivered by Hon. Ross Wilkins, of Detroit, Judge
of the United States Court.  Thus ended the services of a day long to
be remembered by those who enjoyed its opportunities; and thus was
inaugurated an instrumentality which has already accomplished great
good to our State. The Normal School is a fixed, living and useful fact.
The dedicatory services were followed by a Teachers' Institute, and that
by the regular term labors of the school.
Its first Board of Teachers were: A. S. Welch, A. C. Rogers, J. M. B.
Sill, and 0. S. Jackson. Its first Board of Control, appointed by the
Governor, consisted of Isaac E. Crary, Chauncey Joslin, and G. O. Whit,
temore. Lieutenant-Governor W. M. Fenton, B. C. Whittemore, State
Treasurer, and F. W. Sherman, Superintendent, were members ex officio.
At the beginning of the next year, a Model School was opened, and
Miss Clapp appointed teacher.
The Normal School has gone forward from year to year, happily disappointing those who had entertained the highest expectations concerning
it. Its students have been under such a discipline, that the citizens of the
town have not been subject to those vexatious mischiefs which sometimes
prowl around institutions of learning, and which young men are likely
to think are evidences of genius.   A worthy independence and good
order have dwelt together here; and the successfiul past is a promise
for a useful future.
The present Board of Teachers are: A. S. Welch, J. M. B. Sill, P. D.
Mayhew, G. E. A. Miller, Joseph F. Cary,       Jewell, Sarah B. Allen,
Nellie Hurlbert, Susan G. Tyler, and Sarah M. Auls.
The Board of Control consists of Hon. Ira Mayhew, Superintendent,
Hon. John R. Kellogg, Hon. Wm. L. Miller, and Rev. George Willard.
This school sustains an interesting and useful Lyceum. 
,gt Vast -o f
NEWSPAPERS.
The first paper printed in Ypsilanti was called the "Ypsilanti Repub
lican." It commenced its existence in July, 1838, and was edited and
published by John W. Wallace. It was issued for about a year and a
half, and ceased to be.
In December, 1843, "The Ypsilanti Sentinel" was commenced by J.
W. Van Fossen, who was soon succeeded by Charles Woodruff, who
continued it until 1848, when its publication was suspended for about
two years.
During most of this two years, "The Ypsilanti Chronicle" was pubs
lished by Aaron Guest. In 1850, " The Sentinel" again resumed, and
has appeared weekly, with a good degree of regularity, under the guidance of Mr. Woodruff, its editor and proprietor. That this paper has
been, and yet is, of great service to the town, is plain. That it has been
properly appreciated, is questionable. That it is not what it ought to
be, in size and appearance-and what its publisher would be glad to be
able to make it-is beyond all contradiction. In this matter, we would
not be harmed in the manifestation of a little more town pride. Why
not allow our paper to evince a prosperity harmonious with all things
else nobly distinguishing us?
Mr. Ebenezer Hawkins has been this town's chief typographer-faith.
ful and true-sometimes having one "devil," and then another, and
sometimes using the editor as such.
SECRET SOCIETIES.
carte Heagons.
A Lodge of Free Masons was constituted here in January, 1846, called
Phoenix Lodge, No. 13."  The following were its first officers: John
W. Van Fossen, W. M.; Edmund J. Hewett, S. W.; Madison Cook,
J. W.; W. B. Hewett, Secretary; Abel Parkhurst, Treasurer; Elijah
Grant, S. D.; Winthrop A. Haynes, J. D.; Wilkinson Dean, Tyler.
This Lodge has gone on fulfilling its mission, and increasing in numbers, until the present. It has recently erected a cupola over its hall,
in which hangs a fine-toned bell.
The officers now are: D. Edwards, W. M.; A. C. Blodget, S. W.;
Samuel Hand, J. W.; M. A. Parks, Secretary; C. Millington, Treasurer;
44
. 
Ztt Vast of   s                                      45
H. G. Sheldon, Senior Deacon;  J. N. Howland, Junior Deacon; W. G.
Plain, Tyler.
art je~llog.
"Wyandotte Lodge, No. 10," Independent Order of Odd Fellows,
was instituted at Ypsilanti, by authority of the Grand Lodge of Michigan,
September 17th, 1845, upon the petition of John W. Van Cleve, Julius
Movius, Chauncey Joslin, Benjamin Follett, Lawrence W. Cole, and Jas.
E. Platt. The first officers of the Lodge were: Benjamin Follett, N. G.;
Alfred A. Hunter, V. G.; Chauncey Joslin, Secretary; Thomas O. Hill,
Treasurer. The Order immediately became popular, and at the close of
the first year numbered sixty members, including men of all professions
and positions in society. About one hundred and thirty individuals
have been enrolled as members since the organization; and it is fair to
assume an average membership of seventy-five for the twelve years of its
existence. Only seven who have ever been members have died, and but
two of them while in membership, and they were buried by the Lodge.
Eight wives of Odd Fellows have died, and been buried by the Lodge.
Over one thousand dollars have been expended in paying weekly benefits to sick and disabled members, and burying the dead; and several
hundred dollars for charitable objects outside of the Lodge. This Lodge
at present numbers but thirty-two members, and has a fund of about
fifteen hundred dollars. The present officers are: Philander Hascall,
N. G.; Wm. Freeman, V. G.; M. A. Parks, Secretary; H. H. Bumpas,
Treasurer.
Sons  of  emettrance.
A Division of this Order existed here a few years ago, and for a time
was in a flourishing condition, accomplishing much good. But like
many things else having their day and mission, it has ceased to be.
Something, however, is needed in its stead; for those streams which
seemed stayed for a time, are now flowing freely, and bearing many
upon their bosoms far from sobriety and virtue, from usefulness and
heaven. Let us hope that out of philanthropic and Christian hearts
will soon spring up another purpose, to snatch thousands of our fellowmen from temporal and eternal danger. The conflict with intemperance
will not cease, until the world has come much nearer its millenial state
than it now is. Just as long as one class of men have a perverted appetite, and another class can make gain by gratifying it, just so long it
will be difficult to hinder the latter class from harming the former. 
tt ast of  
Jecban[cs' jutual Votectfon.
A Society of this name was organized here January 18th, 1850, by
authority of the Grand Protection of the State. It held its meetings in
the Hall of the Sons of Temperance, until that Hall was destroyed by
fire, March 21st, 1851. It then fitted up a Hall of its own, in the third
story of Davis Block, which is still known as Mechanics' Hall. This
Order was designed for the mutual benefit of mechanics protecting
their rights, sustaining proper rates, of wages, helping the necessitous,
caring for the sick, and burying the dead. Much good seemed to be done
for a time. About two hundred dollars were expended for the above
objects. The Society numbered thirty-six members in the height of its
prosperity; but owing to the smallness of its admission fee and annual
tax, it was unable to carry out its plans and redeem its promises; so,
after an existence of about three years, it ceased to be.
Y[gflance Soc[etv.
As illustrative of the state of things here once, in contrast with the
present, I may mention that, in the year 1838, it was considered necessary to enter into a combination of effort in bringing to justice such as
would in numerous ways evade the vigilance, or overcome the integrity,
of regularly appointed public officers. Some fifty of the chief citizens,
on December 15th, 1838, met at the house of Abiel Hawkins, and
organized an " Ypsilanti Vigilance Society," the object of which was defined to be "for the detection and punishment of crime." Its officers
were: James L. Gillis, President; James M. Edmunds, Secretary; M. V.
Hall, Treasurer; Chauncey Joslin, Mark Norris, Abraham Sage, Marcus
Lane, D. C. McKinstry, Arden Ballard and Walter B. Hewitt, Executive
Committee.
Several vigilance committees were appointed to be on the look-out for
rogues; and secret meetings were held, at which these committees reported Funds were secretly raised, and the Society was useful. That there
was need of its existence, and that it was efficient, may be seen in the
fact, that in less than a year it arrested more than one hundred persons,
and brought them to trial for stealing, counterfeiting, &c., and recovered
over ten thousand dollars' worth of stolen goods, and more than a score
of suspicious characters had fled the country. Two or three who were
members of the society were found to be among the hardest cases it had
to deal with.
No doubt such combinations for the public good are sometimes justifiable, where public officers are not adequate to their responsibilities;
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but they should exist only in times and places of urgent necessity. The
public should expect that regularly constituted authority will be faithful to its trust. If it is not, there should be a speedy change in its administrators, and ever a sustaining public sentiment. That should be a
Sreat necssity which induces the people to do anything which shall ever
suppose that regularly enacted law, and its administrators, are inefficient
LOCALITY, &e.
As a matter of interest to some who have never visited Ypsilanti, it
may be well briefly to say, that this is a village of about four thousand
inhabitants, beautifully situated upon both sides of the Huron River,
thirty miles west of Detroit, upon the Michigan Central Rail Road.
The river here has nearly a southern direction, and about equally divides the town. The Churches and Schools are mostly upon the west
side, while the Depot is upon the other.   Back from the river, the
land gradually rises to such an elevation as affords delightful situations
for the erection of residences. These situations are being rapidly occu.
pied. The superior educational advantages afforded, are drawing many
here for the sake of their families; and the proximity of the place to
Detroit, will soon make it the residence of many who are doing business
in that city. It is understood that a special train for the accommodation of these, will soon be started. Few towns in the West have a
reputation for a better state of public morals than exists here; and few
towns are more blessed with public spirited and highly enterprising
citizens. Few towns have better Christian privileges. The various
Evangelical denominations are at peace with each other, and in many
things are efficiently co-operative for the general good.
The business of the place is large and lively, considering the size of the
town. The river affords abundant water power. It has upon it here,
two first class fiouring mills, a saw mill, a plaster mill, a planing mill, &c.
Not half the power is used. The country around is beautiful and productive. Come and see. Being so near Detroit, there is a ready market
for every thing the farmer can raise.
The health of the town is proverbial. There are no large marshes
here, filled with stagnant water; and the river is so large and rapid,
that not much of a pond is necessary for milling purposes. The total
number of burials in our cemeteries for the four years past, have been
twenty - six, thirty - nine, forty - one, and forty - six respectively. These
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0.     -  
48                      t d
numbers comprise not only such as have died in the village, but also
upon a considerable extent of thickly settled country.
In conclusion, we would say: If these pages should be sent by
any of our citizens to their friends in the East who may be inclined to
find a Western home, and such should be induced to call and see us,
we will never blush that we have inclined them so to do, but will cheer
fully spend the afternoon of almost any day-except Sunday-in perambulating our streets, rambling upon our hill-sides, and helping to drive
the South-east Corner Stake for their future habitations.