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Elder Post, a Free-Will Baptist, came very early from Allegany Co., N.Y., and located on section 18. He held religious services soon after his arrival, and is thought by one or two old residents to have been the first preacher in the township, though it is almost certain that he was preceded by Elder Cosart, Elder Atwood and Rev. Mr. Morgan, father of Cyrenus Morgan, were also early ministers. The farm of Elder Post was purchased by Charles Prosser, who made the first brick in the township, which were used for chimneys, no resident at that time having aspired to the luxury of a brick dwelling. Ansel Crippen arrived in the township from New York State in 1836, and purchased 120 acres on section 7.
The same year came Edward Mundy from
Washtenaw County, and settled on section 35. Robert Edgar settled on
80 acres on section 26, and. still resides there. He is prominently
connected with the first clearing of the township, and is known as an able
expounder of divine truth. John McConnell entered 160 acres on
section 26, which he subsequently sold and became the proprietor of a hotel
on what is known as the Gravel road, in Green Oak township. Timothy
Warner on his arrival here from Livingston Co., N.Y., in July, 1837,
purchased a farm to which he has since added until it now embraces 500
acres. His brother, H. H. Warner, entered 40 acres on section 11.
Smith Beach, of Ontario Co., N. Y., entered 160 acres on section 22 in
1833, but did not occupy it until 1839. His family came with him, and his
son, Willard Beach, now resides upon the farm, his father having died
in 1849. Aaron Beach came in 1838, and located upon the southeast
quarter of section 22, and is still living there.
An event occurred in the year 1841 which cast its gloomy shadow over
the entire community, and threw one of its families into the most profound
mourning. Merlin Doyen, from New Hampshire, came into the township in
1839, and being for the time unable to obtain a house, moved with his family
consisting of his wife, her father, and a lad named Mortimer, who was nearly
four years old, into the house with
Richard
Lyons' family At the expiration of one year, finding the quarters
rather limited for two families, Mr. Lyons built a small house for Mr.
Doyen, allowing him to work a portion of his land. The occupants took
possession of the dwelling, which was half a mile from the farm-house, early
in November of 1841. About a week from that time Mrs. Doyen had occasion to
go to the garden of their former home and allowed the lad to accompany her,
wrapping a shawl closely about him as a protection against the November
winds. The little fellow started full of happiness, and suggested to his
mother that he intended running away from her. Finally, discovering his
father not far away from their destination, he obtained permission to join
him, she meanwhile awaiting his return in the garden. He remained with his
father a while, who finding him a hindrance to his labor, told him to run
back to his mother. Meanwhile, Mrs. Doyen, having completed her task in the
garden, repaired to the house for a short call upon Mrs. Lyons. The child
not finding his mother in the garden, started in pursuit. In his haste he
chose the wrong path, which led him away from his home. It was supposed that
after discovering his mistake he attempted to return to his father, and
becoming bewildered chose a cross-path, which led him a mile from home. Here
the child sat down upon a log, the prints of his little feet being
distinctly visible in the sand, as they were also in the path. From there he
crossed a wide marsh which brought him near the house of Mr. Tunis,
who distinctly heard his cries as the darkness approached, as did also his
grandfather several hours before. After wandering for some hours he finally
reached a swamp, where, probably from exhaustion or fright, he lay down to
the sleep from which he never awoke. Here he was found the morning of the
third day of his absence. Meanwhile, the neighborhood had been aroused, and
for miles around came kind friends to aid in the search for the lost one. On
the second day it was arranged that signals should be fired to indicate
their success one shot if he were alive--two, if not. The distracted mother
had been apprised of these signals, and was with one of the parties engaged
in the search. She heard the firing of a gun, and, not waiting for a second
shot, flew to embrace her little one. The scene is described as
inexpressibly painful as the truth was imparted to her. She never recovered
from the shock, and the settlers who still survive, describe the event as
the most heart-rending of their early recollections.
The soil of the township
of Brighton varies greatly in localities, and may be generally described as
a gravelly loam with an occasional mixture of sand and streaks of clay. The
crops that it yields, though not always abundant in quantity, are generally
of a superior quality. The surface is undulating, comprising some level
stretches of excellent land varied by gentle slopes. Many very picturesque
lakes add variety to the surface, chief among which are Beach Lake and
School Lake in the centre; in the southern portion, Woodruff Lake and a
portion of Fonda Lake; and Mont Lake on the western side; and numerous
smaller bodies of water are scattered throughout the boundaries of the
township. Ore Creek rises in Long Lake, Hartland township, flows in a
southerly course until it reaches the township, when it meanders along its
western boundary.
