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

WILLIAMSTON TOWNS\1111 ANI) ITS HISTORY

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The next is a list of lands in the town of Phelpstown, Ingham
county, for sale by J. L. Whiting and Adams, Land Agents of
Detroit, and dated January 10, 1846.
The following is the most curious of all. In the upper left
hand corner is the picture of a stage coach with four prancing
horses, the driver sitting in front of the enclosed part of the coach,
and the boot for baggage at the hack. In line with this picture
are these words:
Way-bill, from Howell to Michigan, August 23, 1847.
Beneath this is the following schedule:
Passenger's Number Extra Where Where Doll's By whom Doll's
Names of seats IBagrgage from to Cents Received Cents
M. Forden 1 Iowell - Michigan, $1.50 Jobe Page $1.50
Collector
Lansing was at that time called "Michigan."
AFRICA — WILLIAMSTON TOWNSHIP.
Written by DR. F. N. TURNER, North Lansing.
This is not the continent in the Eastern Hemisphere, but a
school district in the township of Williamston. The inhabitants
told me that during the Civil War most of the people or voters in
this district were "black Abolitionists," so they named the district
Africa.
It is located on the north bank of the Red Cedar river, one
and one-half miles north and east of Red Bridge. It stands in an
open plat of ground without shade trees and faces the south.
The building is of the usual type and built of wood. West of the
school house is the Branch Cemetery, where most of the pioneers
of fifty years ago are buried. When this school house was built
and who was the first teacher, I have been unable to find out.
I remember a Miss Pyper from OkeInos taught the summer term
in 1866, and at the end of the term married George Wells, a young
farmer in that neighborhood.
Frank Kedzie, now president of M. A. C., in the winter of 1876-7
commenced a term, but did not finish it and the writer of this succeeded him. It was a large unruly school, but I finished it with