Among the press of pioneers from the east, Cyrenus Morgan and brothers, Nathaniel G. Sr, and Benjamin, came from New York to Michigan to find new homes, 1835-37.  The opening of the Erie Canal, in 1825, greatly reduced the labor, time, danger and expense of the journey.

C.H. and wife, Martha, also born in N.Y. had six children; five daughters and one son. (Scant research information indicates she was born in 1827.) It would appear Martha became a mother at 15 years of age.  Daughter, Electa, was born in 1842.  With the birth of Cyrenus, Jr., in 1851, we lose track of Martha.

By c. 1855 Cyrenus, Sr. is married to Margaret.  Five children were born to this union; three daughters and two sons.  As with many other early settlers, the children often married children of neighbors.  As farms, teachers, laborer, orchardists, butchers, milliners and raisers of sheep, cattle and horses they were active influence in the affairs of Brighton Township.  A variety of vital tasks were carried out.

Cyrenus’ early land acquisitions in the township included 80 acres in Section 27 on which a residence was built.  With Mann Creek flowing through and willows growing along the water, the name is appropriate.  Thirty acres, immediately to the west were added.  Buno Road is on the north and Spencer on the east.  By 1895 the south half of this is in Cyrenus, Jr.’s name.  A very hilly 40 acres in Section 14 is also in Sr’s. Name.  This is on Kensington Road, west of the GM Proving Grounds.

C.H. Morgan’s WILLOWDALE FARM had a Milford address.  When rural free deliver was instituted in 1896 the far eastern portion of Brighton Township received its mail from the Milford Post Office.

Today’s life style makes it impossible for us to comprehend the difficulties of that day.  A trip to town entailed the harnessing of the horse, hitching to the wagon, sleigh or buggy; keeping warm in the winter; driving through fields in order to avoid snow drifts, fording swollen streams in the spring.  With that much effort involved one did not leave the shopping list at home.  A trip to Detroit was often a two-day affair.  It was the mid 1920s before Grand River was paved.  Ah-h-h the good old days.

Compiled by Marieanna Bair from Early census records,  1880 History of Livingston County; Early Landowners and Settlers of Livingston County and obituaries compiled by Milton Charboneau.