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[3162.ftw]

[Brøderbund WFT Vol. 1, Ed. 1, Tree #3162, Date of Import: Dec 5, 1998]

from : MEMORIAL TO THE PIONEER WOMEN OF THE WESTERN RESERVE
Family History Library Salt Lake City book 977.13 H2w vol3-4
published Dec. 1896
article title- PIONEER WOMEN OF WILLIAMSFIELD, ASHTABULA COUNTY
(1804-1850)pp.523-525
Williamsfield, named for Gen. Joseph Williams, is an exceptionally fertile township, forming the southeastern corner of Ashtabula County. It has two railroads and 3 villages, one at the center and one at each station.
Near the eastern and western boundaries going directly west from the center, a distance of 60 miles brings one to Euclid Ave, Cleveland.
Williamsfield enjoys the distinction of being the early home of Hon. Joshua Giddings, and the birthplace of the illustrious author, Albion W. Tourgee.
In the early days of slavery it was one of the regular stations of the underground railroad.
The first settlement was made in 1804 cy Charles Case, of Simsbury CT, grandfather of the noted singer C.C. Case. Judging from the character of her descendants, Mrs. Case belonged to natures nobility.
In 1806 came Mrs. John Cook (Eunice Morgan) from Preston, CT whose daughter Pauline, was the first white girl born in the township.
In the early days girls did not scream at sight of a mouse or a little garter snake, as is proved by the following :
One fine Spring day three young ladies, Sally Case, daughter of the first settler ;Anne Ford and Miss Randall, " went out for a lark" and found a fine parcel of rattlesnakes, in other words a nest of them, in a stony place near the Morse farm, on the old salt road. They killed 36 and how many escaped is not stated. It is told as a solmn truth that now and then a snake was stuffed into a straw bed, and one woman actually sleeping on a newly filled bed all night with a live snake in it, not a rattlesnake however. Milk snakes mad ethemselves very annoying by crawling into the cellar or pantry and eating the cream from the milk.
Mrs. Josiah Smith ( Sabrina Gardener) was one of the earliest settlers, east of the Old Salt Road, coming in 1816 from Berkshire Mass. Williamsfield was then a dense forest, with few roads beside Indian footpaths. She was widely known as an expert doctor and nurse, and cheerfully rendered free of charge, services now demanding high fees.
She kept a bed especially for the class of wayfarers now called "tramps" and was never known to turn one away. She was a most worthy charter member of the M.E. Church.
Huldah Smith came in a company of 30, from Sandersfield,Mass.in 1816.She married Gurden Leffingwell, and was a superior woman, beloved by all. She moved to Wisconsin in 1861.
Mrs. Bartlett Leonard (Hannah Chapman), from Berkshire Mass., 1815, was a woman of lofty character and much culture, having taught school for several years in Mass. She had also studied medicine and was a regular physician, going far and naer on her errands of mercy. But these things did not unfit her for the more ordinary duties of home. Her industry , prudence and economy made her a royal helpmeet.
Her father being a man of property, she brought with her an unusual supply of fine furniture and clothing, but the silks and muslins were all laid away as inappropriate, and she wore home-made linsey-woolsey like her neighbors. She went back to Mass. six times, the first with a neighbor and his wife in winter, leaving 2 children, 3 and 4 years of age, in the care of her husband and his sister Olive Leonard. Being disappointed in returning as she went, she was almost wild with anxiety about her family, Miss Olive having become Mrs. Reuben Phelps in the meantime. At last she heard of the Adamses, who were coming here, but they were 12 in number, heavily loaded, and could not take her in . She told them she would walk if they would carry her baggage. One of the Adams' girls volunteered to take turns walking. She started with delight, but at Meadville,Pa., a thaw came and the family waited for more snow. Mrs. Leonard then pursued her way on foot and alone 25 miles. Arriving at Croytown, she found the Chenango bridge gone, but nothing daunted, walked the "stringers" which were under water, ankle deep, and arrived homeat last with joy in her heart that is better imagined than described, after walking more than half of seven hundred miles !
Her daughter, Charlotte ( Mrs. John Barnes), is at present a remarkably preserved great-grandmother, to whom we are all indebted for this scetch. She is still able to fashion in the latest styles many garments for her children and grandchildren. She weaves rugs and carpets of much beauty and raises more flowers than her neighbors. Among other plants she has over 30 rare chrysanthemums.
Olive Leonard married Reuben Phelps and spent the remainder of her life on a farm at the center. Her home was a regular stop on the underground railroad, and many are the "brothers-in-black" she has helped on their way to freedom. She was in peril of forfieting her property if discovered, but with her right was might, and she never wavered from the path of duty.
..........skipping some paragraphs....
Miss Polly Tourgee, for many years past known as "Aunt Polly", from Tyringham, Mass., 1822, married Asahel Leonard and settled on a farm 2 miles north of center, where she has since lived, being now nearly 88 years old. She was a strong , stirring woman, of the heroic sort; always up and doing "with a heart for any fate". She was a power in prayer and one of the founders of theSunday School, and is also one of the living charter members of the Congregational church.
When her husband was sick at one time for 4 years, she managed the farm and did much of the outdoor work, even to building fences. Their barn was the first raised without whiskey. The carpenter said it would not go up without the customary treat. Mr. Leonard said: " Let it rot yhen." Mrs. Leonard however, managed the affair by making 2 barrels of beer, using 32 pounds of sugar. The barn went up with no grumbling.
Spinning and weaving and making butter and cheese for market were common duties. It was not uncommon for her to walk with others thru the woods in the evening, with a torch to light the way, to prayer meeting. In pleasant weather she is now able to attend church service and her voice is often heard in prayer at the Women's Missionary Meetings. She is patiently waiting for the call to " come up higher".
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