PREFACE. The seventh volume of Pioneer Collections, herewith submitted, will, it is hoped, prove as interesting and valuable a contribution to the early history of the State as any yet published. The noble men and women who braved the perils and hardships of frontier life, felled the forests, broke up the virgin soil, and, in place of the wilderness, have filled the State with comfortable homes, fruitful fields and plenteous orchards; who, fifty years ago, were in their prime, have mostly passed away, though some still gather with us at our annual meetings, witnesses of the marvelous changes time has wrought. The history of these pioneers is the history of the State. No fact is better attested by all experience than that the future of the village, city, county, or State, is largely determined by its early settlers and founders, and the direction and impetus these may give is traceable in after times through many generations. Hence the great value of pioneer collections, in which future historians will trace to their causes the outgrowths of the times. Michigan of to-day may well be proud of what her early sons and daughters have made her. There are still unpublished histories of many of these early pioneers, found only in the monuments they have left in the religious, charitable, educational and political institutions of the State. All who have knowledge of these noble men and women, or of interesting facts or incidents connected with their lives and work, are earnestly invited to contribute the same, that they may be preserved. The Legislature has generously and wisely made provision for the publication of Michigan Pioneer Collections, and it should be a matter of State pride, as well as a labor of love, with every patriotic citizen, so far as practicable, to contribute to the fullness, completeness and value of these collections. The work of the Committee of Historians is merely to select from papers on file, arrange and prepare for publication, and the time and labor necessary are cheerfully given without compensation, from a loving regard for Michigan Pioneers. A valuable feature of volume seven will be found in the general index to the preceding six volumes. MICHAEL SHOEMAKER, CHAIRMAN, O. C. COMSTOCK, N. H. GOODRICH, W. J. BAXTER, HARRIET E. TENNEY, SECRETARY, Committee of Historians. CONTENTS. PAGE 3 9 11 12 17 52 74 75 76 76 77 78 History of the Land Grants for Education in Michigan-Geo. W. Knight... Education in Michigan during the Territorial Period-Lucy M. Salmon... Federal Land Grants for Internal Improvements in the State of Michigan-A. N. Bliss............ Michigan-Letter dated Oct. 1, 1823. Crime in Michigan-Detroit Gazette, 1824. Sketch of Early Pioneer Life-Sherman Stevens.. History of the "Michigan Farmer"-J. C. Holmes... Congregationalism in Michigan-Rev. P. R. Hurd.. Michigan Soldiers in Mexico-Col. Isaac D. Toll. How Gen. Brock's Proclamation was Preserved.. What I Know About O-taw-wars and Ne-war-go-E. S. Williams.... Certificate made by Chippewa Chiefs, signers of treaty of 1819-E. S. Williams.. The Pottawattomies-C. D. Randall.. List of Members of State Pioneer Society.. 151 |