Beginning in 1835, many with the surname of Power(s) began making the journey from the east, mainly New York, to buy and settle land in Michigan. Among them was Robert D. Power and wife, Aleta. They built and operated the first public house in Brighton on Grand River at the southeast corner of the Trail and […]
Samuel M. Conelys ancestors sailed with Lord Baltimore to find new homes in the new world. His father, Jerimiah, was born c. 1766, in Snow Hill, Maryland, and became a seaman. Sams mother was a Norris, born at the east end of Long Island, New York. Born 9/26/1806, Sam had six siblings: Achseh b. 1797, […]
Born July 22, 1819, in Scotland, David Thompson came to America at age 16. He had previously been employed as a foundry man. Upon settling in Brighton in 1840, he established one of the first industries in the Village. He built a foundry at 300 E. Grand River. Census records state his occupation as a […]
LeGrand Beach a farmer, (b. Nov. 4, 1810, N.Y.) came to Green Oak Township c. 1845. He purchased government land, 120 acres, in Section 1. East of Kensington Rd., south of the Grand River Trail, north of the Huron River, it is now part of the Island Lake Recreation Area. A house was built and […]
Altho many who invested in land in the area in the early 1830s bought it sight unseen, John Cushing, a farmer (b. 1783, Nova Scotia) and wife Elizabeth (b. 1787 MA), arrived in Brighton Township c. 1835. With them came sons Benjamin (b. 1814 Canada), William (b. 1819 Canada) and Alonzo (b. 1825 N.Y.). Elizabeth […]
Several families by the name of Buck are recorded as having purchased land in Livingston County in the first half of the 19th century. All, of course, came from the East. Jasper and Rhoda (Hendricks) were in the Brighton Village area by 1841. Shortly after their arrival, their two oldest children, Willis, seven, and Philena, […]
Among the flood of Easterners to Michigan following the opening of the Erie Canal in 1825, came several by the name of Bishop, all born in New York. Their relationship has not been established. They may be brothers or cousins.
In 1910, at the age of 14 (b. August 31, 1896), Jesse Barton Cooley came from Milford to Brighton with his mother, Frances. October 4, 1917, his mother married widower Frank S. Conely four days after Jesse entered the Army September 30, 1917. After training at Camp Custer, the Private was transferred to Camp McArthur […]
Residing in Wayne County, Truman (or Freeman) B. Worden purchased 80 acres in Brighton Township, Section 31, June 1, 1835. ( E. of Grand River, both sides of Spencer Rd.) Living in Brighton by January 25, 1837, 80 acres, was purchased in Section 30. January 21, 1837 and April 5, 1837, two 40 acres pieces […]
The long relationship of the Rider family and the Fishbeck family in Holland was maintained as they sailed the Atlantic to New York in the late 17th century. Joseph Rider, Sr. was a child when Washington was inaugurated as president. His parents died when he was very young; his only education was as a shoemaker. […]
