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EARLY SETTLEMENT OF SOUTHWESTERN
MICHIGAN BY A. B. COPLEY.
June 7, 1882.
This locality, while it had peculiar attractions at that time for the huntsman, the woods being well stocked with the greatest variety of game, as the panther, deer, and bear, and the salmon and trout abounding in the clear water courses, yet the long winters and deep snow induced Jeremiah to seek a less severe climate, and after a thorough exploring tour through the west and southwest he decided to settle in Ohio.
Starting in July, 1811, from Sodus Point in a small schooner, the British Queen, they reached the mouth of the Niagara river, where, after reshipping their goods by teams to a point above the Palls, they again embarked in a batteau or open boat, and reaching Buffalo, were obliged to wait for good weather.
Coasting along as far as Erie, it became necessary to land in order to cook some food. A land breeze springing up, their boat drifted out to sea and it was with great difficulty recovered.
On arriving off Cleveland they attempted1 to make a harbor, but owing to bad weather were unable to land, and proceeded to Rocky River, where they abandoned the batteau, and with the aid of a skiff transferred their effects to a schooner. The last load being left in the skiff over night, broke loose from
the schooner, and drifting out to sea, was lost. Included in this skiff load was a trunk containing all their, books.
MICHIGAN
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