Fairfield Township History

CRAWFORD COUNTY was divided July 9, 1800, into eight townships,
one of which was Fairfield. It was established with the following boundaries:
Beginning at the northwest comer of a tract of land surveyed in the name
of Matthew Wilson; thence by the north line of a tract surveyed in the
name of Robert Wilson to French Creek; thence down the different windings
of the same to the south boundary of Crawford County; thence by the same
westwardly to the southeast corner of Fallowfield Township; thence by the
same northwardly to the place of beginning. With these boundaries it
embraced the whole of present Fairfield, the two eastern tiers of tracts in
Greenwood and most of Union. In 1829 its lines were entirely changed. It
was pushed farther eastward across French Creek and comprised present
Fairfield, East Fairfield and part of Union. The recent organization of the
latter two townships reduced Fairfield to its present bounds. It lies on the
southern line of the county and has an irregular outline. French Creek and
Conneaut Outlet restrict it on the north, separating the township from Union
and East Fairfield. Greenwood is on the west and Wayne on the east, and
Mercer County on the south. The township is generally level or rolling, the
greatest bluff extending along French Creek on the eastern border.

The soil is a loam in the bottoms and a gravelly loam on the uplands. In the
southern part it partakes slightly of an argillaceous nature. White oak is the
principal timber, interspersed with sugar, linn and hickory. Chestnut and red
oak are found in limited quantity, and along the streams small quantities of
cherry, pine and hemlock grew. The township contains an area of 10,797
acres. Its population in 1850 was 1,224; in 1860, 1,777; in 1870, 871; and
in 1880, 929. The reports for 1850 and 1860 included East Fairfield and a
part of Union.

Fairfield was one of the earliest settled portions of the county. The records
show that the following were here in 1797: Joseph Dickson, Alexander and
Patrick Dunn, James Herrington, James Kendall, David Nelson, Aaron Wright
and Allen Scroggs. Several of these had come in 1795, or earlier, while Indian
troubles were still rife, and when settlements were made at great personal risk.
Joseph Dickson was one of the first. He came from Cumberland County,
settled on the tract which bears his name in the eastern part of the township,
on the farm now owned by E. P. Slocum, and remained here through life. His
sons, George and Elijah, were life-long residents on the same farm. Aaron
Wright had come in 1795 or earlier from York County, and settled on the tract
just west of Calvin's Corners. He was a Revolutionary soldier and came out
first alone and prepared a habitation for his family, whom he brought soon after.
Mr. Wright's death occurred about 1816. His children were: Washington,
Elizabeth, who married John Brooks; Annie, wife of Elijah Crookham, and
Catherine, wife of James Mumford.

Alexander and Patrick Dunn, brothers, emigrated from the Susquehanna to
the northwest part of the township. The latter was without a family. Alexander
was the first Justice of the Peace, and about 1816 removed with his family to
Sh[e]akleyville, Mercer County, where he died. James Herrington settled on
a tract in the northern part immediately below the mouth of Conneaut Outlet.
He was an early surveyor, was elected County Surveyor and removed to
Meadville, afterward returning to his farm, where he died and was buried. His
children were: Jacob, Edward, James, Crawford and Mary. David Nelson
settled in the southern part, on the tract which bears his name. During the
War of 1812 he served as Major under Gen. Harrison, and was afterward
Colonel of the militia. He was a prominent citizen, a member of the Seceder
Church, and a life-long resident of the township. Allen Scroggs settled in the
eastern part, where he remained until death, engaged in farming and in
operating a still. His sons were: James, Robert, William, John and Allen, all
of whom are now dead.

Most of the land in the township was settled and paid for by individuals,
without the intervention of land companies. Much of it in fact was occupied
before the land companies were locating tracts. In the southwest part of the
township, however, are eight tracts of a considerable body of land known as
Field's claim. Mr. Field was a wealthy Philadelphian. The State laws requring
both an actual settlement and the payment of 20 cents per acre, and survey
fees for each 400 acre tract. Mr. Field surveyed a large number of tracts and
made agreements with pioneers who were without means, to the effect that
the settler make the necessary settlement and improvement, that Mr. Field
pay the State and survey fees, and that the tract be then divided between
them. This arrangement enabled many to obtain homes in the wilderness,
who otherwise would have been unable to do so. James Kendall in 1797 or
earlier settled on Tract 31, of Field's claim, but about 1816 removed from the
township.

Other pioneers, most of whom came about the year 1800, and all of whom
had settled here before 1810, were: Joseph Bersen, Robert Bailey, Aaron
Boylen, Joseph Culbertson, Alexander Caldwell, Richard Davison, Thomas
Fulton, John Fulton, Thomas Havlin, Archibald Hill, Conrad and Henry Hart,
Nathaniel Marshall, John Marsh, James Mumford, John May, Joseph
McDonald, Jacob Moyer, John and James McCormick, Henry Peterman,
John Porter, Christopher Wheeling, Robert Young and William Thompson.
These were the men, besides the few previously named, who came into the
dense forests and amidst dangers and difficulties, by enduring privations and
hardships, cleared off large patches from out the unbroken wilderness, and
founded the homes which their descendants or aliens now possess.

Joseph Bersen came from Washington County, settled in the east part of
Tract 53, Field's claim, and afterward removed to Mercer County, where he
died. Robert Bailey remained on a tract situated in the southern part until
his death, some time after which event his family removed from the county.
Aaron Boylen settled on Field's Tract 64. Joseph Culbertson settled on
French Creek about a mile south of the mouth of Conneaut Outlet on the
farm now owned by S. McCobb. He was a tanner by trade, and followed
that vocation here for years, then moved to Sh[e]akleyville, Mercer County,
where he died. Alexander Caldwell, an Irishman, settled in the southwest
corner of Tract 63. He was a weaver, and during the pioneer period, before
carding-mills came into use, found employment in weaving cloths. He died
and was buried on the farm. A public burial-place has since been laid out
here by John Peterson, the next proprietor of this farm. Richard Davison
settled on Field Tract 41. He afterward removed to Mercer County, and
there died. Thomas and John  Fulton were father and son.
They settled on a tract in the southeast part. They were Irish, and both
died on the farm. The latter raised a large family who afterward emigrated
to the west. Thomas Havlin, an Irish weaver, settled and died in the
northwest part. Archibald Hill, of Irish descent, settled prior to 1800 on a
tract a little northeast of the township center where his son now resides.
He here erected a stone house in 1816. Conrad Hart was of Teutonic
extraction. He lived until death in the northern part of the township, and
was buried in Conneaut Cemetery. Philip, Conrad and Henry were his
sons. Nathaniel Marshall settled in the northwest part on Tract 433,
where his descendants yet abide. He operated a distillery, and died
during the War of 1812. John Marsh was an early blacksmith. James
Mumford, the son of David Mumford, who settled in Union Township,
was married in 1806 to Catherine Wright, and settled immediately
thereafter in the northwest part of the township. John May, a prominent
settler, located on a tract in the northern part. He emigrated from Ireland
prior to the Revolution, in which holy cause he took up arms. He died on
his farm May 2, 1836, in his seventy-third year. Joseph McDonald
remained a life-long farmer of the township. Jacob Moyer was a German,
and likewise remained in the township until death. John and James
McCormick were brothers to Barney, who in 1795 was killed by Indiana
in what is now Union Township. They settled just east of Calvin's Corners,
and James afterward moved West. Henry Peterman settled in the northern
part and remained there until death. John Porter, the son-in-law of John
May, was a blacksmith and a prominent man. He remained in the township
until his death in 1824. Christopher Wheeling was of German descent, and
subsequent. to his settlement in Fairfield removed to Wayne Township.
Robert Young, a bachelor, remained until his death. William Thompson
settled in the southeast corner of the township, but later in life removed
with his family to southern Illinois.

During the War of 1812 all the able bodied citizens in this township as well
as elsewhere throughout this region were pressed into service at Erie.
Robert Young, then an old man, was the only resident of Fairfield whom it
is remembered was not enlisted. The women were obliged to look after the
farms and taking their infants and young children with them to the fields
they gathered in the crops of wheat which had been left standing,

The old State road extending from Pittsburgh to Erie traversed the township
and over it the munitions of war were transported to Erie, and the soldiery
passed over it to and from that place. On this road, in the northern part of the
township, Conrad Hart, as early as 1812, kept a tavern at the sign of the Blue
Ball. He maintained the tavern until about 1820, when the Mercer and
Meadville pike was made and became the principal thoroughfare.

To the honor of the pioneers of this township the first library association in
the county was formed here some time prior to 1816, and maintained
successfully for a number of years. James Herrington, Alexander Dunn,
David Mumford, John May, John Porter, Thomas Havlin, and others contributed
books or means with which to purchase them, until quite a large library was
collected, which was kept at the cabin of a member.

The first school known to have been taught in Fairfield was held in a little
cabin which stood at the roadside opposite the present residence of
A. W. Mumford. It was a typical pioneer school-room, a round-log cabin
perhaps 16x24 feet, with newspaper windows, the opening made by
withdrawing a log from one side of the building and replacing it with paper.
A large fire-place, extending across one end, helped very materially to
supply the room with light. James Douglass taught here in 1810, and a
year or two later Allison Gray. The sec-  ond schoolhouse
remembered was a frame structure erected at Calvin's Corners by
subscription about 1816. This building was also used as a place of
Methodist worship. Among the earliest teachers here were: Miss Urania
Bailey, the daughter of a pioneer; John Muzzy, a transitory sojourner
from New York State; Nathan B. Lard, of this township and Charles
Caldwell of Greenwood. William Little taught in the deserted Kendall
cabin in the eastern part of Tract 31 during the winter of 1817-18.
Col. A. Power of Meadville was one of his pupils, and remembers the
great fall of snow February 2, 1818. In the morning of that day there
was a little snow on the ground, but it snowed furiously all day and
towards the close of the afternoon when school was dismissed it lay
on the ground to the depth of three feet making the homeward journey
of the young children extremely difficult.

The earliest grist-mill was built at the mouth of Conneaut Outlet by
James Herrington as early as 1803, and soon after sold to John May
who operated it until his death, soon after which event the mill was
abandoned. The stream was sluggish and the dam which afforded a
water-fall of about five feet kept the waters back a distance of several
miles. A turbine wheel was used and with the two run of stone in use
an extensive milling business was done. Mr. May also kept a ferry
here. James Mumford erected the first saw-mill, and David Nelson also
operated an early one on the same stream, Wright's Run. John May,
David Nelson, John Porter, James Herrington, Jacob Moyer, and Allen
Scroggs operated stills. Alexander Dunn kept the first tavern and
Conrad Hart the second.

The only postoffice in the township is at Calvin's Corners. Here may
also be found a store and a blacksmith shop.

In the northern part of the township, about a half mile south of the
mouth of Conneaut Outlet, stands Sugar Creek or Conneaut United
Presbyterian Church. A Presbyterian Congregation was organized here
as early as 1810, Rev. Robert Johnson, of Meadville, preaching at this
point. Peter Shaw, Thomas Cochran and James Birchfield were early
Elders. Other prominent early members were Robert Power, John
Porter, John Greer, Andrew Gibson, John May, Samuel Power, Robert
Harvey, John Fulton, Archibald Hill and Allen Scroggs. A hewed log-
church was erected about 1811 on an acre of land situated a short
distance south of the mouth of Conneaut Outlet. The lot was donated
by James Herrington for a church and graveyard. In the latter many old
settlers have been interred. The lot has recently been enlarged, and is
now known as Conneaut Cemetery. The primitive church here was built
of pine logs, was floored and ceiled, and had large pine benches for
seats. It was large and well furnished for pioneer times. Meetings were
held here until the erection of the present building in 1851, nearly a half
mile south of the old structure. The means for its construction were
bequeathed by Miss Maria Power, who died in April, 1850. It. is a
commodious frame, and built when labor and materials were cheap, cost
about $800. The income derived from the residue of her property, about
$2,000, Miss Power willed to the support of a pastor. Under the
administrations of Rev. Campbell this congregation had been received
into the Associate Reformed Church, later merged into the United
Presbyterian. After the close of his labors a vacancy existed for a time,
then about 1828 Rev. Samuel F. Smith became pastor, continuing until
his death in 1846. Rev. H. H. Thompson then served from 1848 to 1865,
and Rev. David Donnan, the present pastor, succeeded in December,
1865. The membership is about seventy.

A Seceder Congregation was organized about 1834, and a year later a
church was erected in the northern part on the opposite side of the road
from Mumford's Chapel, a present Methodist Episcopal structure. Col.
David Nelson, James Mumford, David Nelson, Jr. and William McKisick
were early members. Rev. Matthew Snodgrass was the only pastor. The
congregation disbanded about 1860.

Mumford's Chapel, alluded to above, was erected in 1861, at a cost of
$1,200. The class was organized with twenty-five members two years
previous by Rev. John Abbott, of Cochranton Circuit, to which this
appointment has since been attached. Methodist services had been held
in this locality as early as 1830, and among the early Methodists were
Newell Bligh, William Hart, Perry Jewell, Irwin May and William Armour.
The society now numbers about thirty members.

Trinity German Reformed Church was organized by Rev. L. D. Leberman
with five members, January 1, 1865, and the church edifice, a neat frame
structure, located on Tract 41 in the western part of the township was
built at a cost of $1,250. George Hanes, Henry Nodler and John Nodler
were early members. Rev. J. Kretzing was the first pastor. Revs. Josiah
May and J. W. Pontius, the latter now in charge, have been his successors.
Services are conducted in the German language. The membership is now
twenty-eight.

Near the west line of the township, in the western part of Tract 30, stands
a frame United Brethren Church, erected in 1873, at a cost of $1,200.
The class that worships here was organized with fourteen members in the
winter of 1855, by Rev. J. L. Weaver. Z. R. Powell was chosen class-leader
and L. Smock, Steward. Other early members were J. L. Chapin and Hiram
Powell. The class numbers about twenty-five members, and is attached to
Geneva Mission. It was formerly a part of New Lebanon Circuit. The
ministers who have traveled this field of labor as nearly as can be
ascertained were Revs. T. Foster, J. L. Chapin, B. Haak, P. W. Ish,
Bradick, S. Hubler, C. Wheeler, A. Crowell, R. Smith, S. Casterline, F.
Reynolds, D. B. Hodgkiss, C. Everetts, G. W. Franklin, S. Evans, H.
Bedow, A. Meeker, N. C. Foulk, D. C. Starkey and T. J. Butterfield.