Pioneer history of Ingham County, compiled and arranged by Mrs. Franc L. Adams, secretary of the Ingham County pioneer and historical society.

WILLIAMSTON TOWNSHIP AND ITS HISTORY

821

dead, and the other was reduced to a mere skeleton in his efforts
to drag his mate in search of food.
The Putnams also imagined the Indians were quite too numerous, wild and uncivilized to make good neighbors. These difficulties were somewhat magnified by their desire to mingle again
with wives, friends and civilization at home, and also being disheartened by the prospects before them, they went back to Jackson
county until harvest. They then came back, cut, stacked and
fenced their oats and left not to return, leaving the grain to be
fed to the Indian ponies and the land lookers' horses.
The second improvement in Williamston was made late in the
fall of 1839, when Simeon Clay built a log house. He then returned to Dearborn to spend the winter and while he was gone
the land formerly owned by the Putnams was purchased by three
brothers-O. B., J. M. and H. V. Williams. They built a log
house. Neighbors soon came in-Dillicene Stoughton, James
Tyler and the Lounsbury's.
Okemos was the nearest settlement west, and the nearest house
east was eleven miles distant.
In the fall of 1840 the Williams brothers had a dam and saw mill
in operation on the Cedar river. A dozen or more Indian wigwams
could be seen from the mills as the "Tawas Tribe" to the number
of 30 to 150 occupied and planted the farms later owned by J. M.
Williams. They were considered very friendly and acceptable
neighbors, supplying the settlers plentifully with many articles of
food, which today would be considered luxuries, such as venison,
fish and fowl.
It was the custom of the Indians for some years to return to this
locality and indulge in a feast at a certain full moon in the spring,
not forgetting to give a portion of the food to the departed.
In 1842 the Williams brothers erected a grist mill, known as the
Red Cedar Mill. Until that time I think the nearest mill was at
Dexter. The mill here was afterward operated by Stephen and
Hiram Siegfried, later by Mead & Fleming, and others.
The first couple married in Williamston, the event occurring in
1840 and the ceremony being performed by Caleb Carr, a justice
of the peace, were Simeon Clay and Sophronia Stoughton, daughter
of Dillicene Stoughton.
The first white child born in the township was Lucy A. Louns