The Pioneer Celebration

The semi-centennial celebrationof the location of Ann Arbor as a county seat, by the Pioneer Society of Washtenaw County, was held in the basement of the M. E. Church, on Tuesday last. The opportunity for the fathers and mothers of Washtenaw to meet together and renew old acquaintanco and rehearse the pleasing memories of by-gone days was improved to the fullest extent. At tho time announced for tlie opening of the festival, the parlors of the church were rapidly fllling with the pioneers and thcir wives, who had come trom every township of the county to do honor to the memory of John Allen and Walter Rumsey, the first pioneers of Washtenaw couuty. And it was well that they should meet in reunión for their own sakes. The struggles and activitios of early life in Michigan, though not without their enjoyable phases, and which, through the sturdy men and women that were represented in the festival havj been productivo of so much character and real worth among the peoplc and have given to Washtenaw a pre-eminent rank in the couuties of the State, deservc to bo commemorated and the memory of them handed down to future generations. From the register of the society we learn that Calvin Chipman, Mrs. J. C. McGee, Alvin Cross, and John Geddes came to Ann Arbor in 1824 ; Horace Carpenter, Mary E. Foster and Lorrin Mills, in 1826; Edward Clark, Morrel Goodrich, and H. S. Crippen in 182". In 1828, Lorenzo Davis, J. D. Williams; 1829, A. J. Sutherland, H. Laraway, J. H. Sperry, F. S. Parker, E. Morgan, L. C. Eisdon and James Wicks; 1830, Samuel Fettibone, Moses Boylan, George Sutton and Emanuel Manu; 1831, Seth Thompson, A. A. Tuttle, John G. Koch, A. J. Case, James Jones, Jefferson Warner, B. Emerick, Aretus Dunn, Loren Moore, David Wilsey, Harriet Chase; 1832, W. H. Solier, S. J. Chase, Eoswell Preston, Philo Galpm, John . Uott, Mary H. Clark ; 1833, Wm. M. Gregory, Charles A. Chapin, E. D. Lay, Hanson Sessions, Vaite Teek, J. D. Irish, Warren Hamilton, J. D. Corey; 1831, Calvin Bliss and wife, Moses Collins and A. Case ; 1835, D. Noble, B. B. Glazier, Philip Bach, C. T. Filmore, James "Wmans, E. Waterman, J. S. Henderson, C. T. Wilmot. The oldest gentleman present on the occasion was Orange Risdon, of Saline, father of L. C. Risdon. of this city. He was early identified with the history ot tho county and the State, being particularly engaged in the numerous surreys of those days between Detroit and Chicago. Calvin Bliss, who came in 1834, established the first jewelry store in the State west of Detroit It seems that Calvin Chipman put up tho first log house in Ann Arbor, in 1824. He was instrumental in securing the present namo of the city. Mr. Eumsey occupied the present site of the Episcopal church, and, as the story goes, his wife, whose name was Ann, said one day to her husband, in reply to his remark, " What a beautiful arbor we have." " Mr. Eumsey, let's cali it Ann's Arbor." Mr. Chipman being present arose and in the usual form of deliberative assemblies put the vote which was carried unanimously. The documents to this effect were afterward drawn up and deposited in the office of Major Kearsle)', the land agent at Detroit. Of the antiquities brought out on this occasion, none perhaps excited more interest than the first Piano ,ever brought west of Detroit, and which was on exhibition in the rear end of the reception hall. From tho historical paper accompanying the same, we learn that it was brought from Detroit in 1827 by John Anderson, with an ox team, for Miss Lucy Ann Clark, and set up at Mr. Harvey Austin's house, now standing on the northwest corner of Second and Liberty streets, where Mr. Anderson was treated to music before leaving. Shortly after it was taken to a house where now is No. 17, South Main street. Here large numbers of the Pottawattamies and Tawas Indians enjoyed and frequently danced to its music. This instrument, which origiually cost $75, is now owned by Mrs. C. A. Chapin, of this city, daughter of the original owner. Moses Boylan produced some interesting relies of former days in the shape of a family bible and record bearing the date of 1740, his grandmother's wedding slippers, tea-spoons, &c, made in 1765. Mr. Boylan set up in the tailor's trade in 1830 in this city, and has now in his possession the shears, presslxard,and other implements of the trade at that time. . He lias also the oldest jail record in the county. A peculiar incident was related by Mr. Boylan in respect to his son, Arthur E. Boylan, who was born in jail, raised in the poor-house, educated in Michigan TJniversity, and is now practicing medicine in Brighton in this state. Mr. John S. Nowland, the first white child bom m Ann Arbor, presented for inspection a needle case imported from Scotland 150 years ago ; also_some scrip of the state of New Jersey, bearing date of 1781. Abot 3 o'clock the pioneers and others in attendance, to the number of 500, sat down to the bountifully laden tables which had been tastefully prepared by the ladies ot the city with an abundance of everything that could tempt the palates of the epicure. Much credit is due the ladies for their suceessf ui efforts in providing for the wants of the inner man. After all had eaten and were satisfied, G-en. E. Clark announced the programme for the post prandial exercises. First in order was the reading of a few letters, illustrating the correspondence of 50 yaars ago. J. J. Eobison then read a letter from Mark Howard, of Hartford, Conn., donating to the society important papers of an early date, only on the eondition that when the society disbanded they should be placed in some public institution in Ann Arbor for preservation. The chairman then called for five minute remarks illustrative of early pioneer life from the representatives of the various townships. Nearly all called upon responded and interested the the moeting with the recital of the condition of things in Washtenaw county in its younger days. At the conclusión of the remarks the audience had already become somewhat thinned by reason of the latcness of the hour, and after the singing of " Auld Lang Syne," the meeting dissolved, thus endiug an occasion which will be remembered by all present as one of the most enjoyable in a social way in the history of the county. - We supplement " our special's" report with the following from the pen of a lady of this city who delights in historical reminsicences : In the winter of 1825 the first public ball was held in Ann Arbor, in a log tavern, near a house formerly owned by Erastus Root, Esq, Part of the company was from Ypsilanti. The second ball was held in the winter of 1826, on the occasion of the inauguration of a MaEonic Lodge (in a doublé log house kept by John Allen, where the Gregory house now stands). From Detroit Gen. Cass, Judge Witherell, O. Cook, L. Cook, Gen. Larnerd, Gen. Schwartz, James Abbott, and Nathan Newell. From Superior Esek Pray, Esq., Col. John Brewer and Hiram Robertson. From Deiter Nathaniel' Noble and his brother, and Mr. Itufus Crossman, From Ypsilanti Major McKinstry and Benjamin Woodruff. From Plymouth Dr. Davis and lady, and Mr and Mrs. Ward. From Ann Arbor Elisha W. Rumsey, Judge Rumsey, Gen. Martin Davis, Col. Thayer, Orange Risdon, Capt. Orrin Howe, Judge üliver Whitmore, Judge 'AnthonyCase, Seley Neal, Jolui Goram, Dr. Lord, and Augustus Bird. From Rawsonville Amariali Rawson. Ladies, Minerva E. Rumsey, Miss Venus Whitraore - who was called the evening star - the Crosses, Woodruffs, Miss Whitmore, daughter of Oliver Whitmore, of Mallett's Creek, Celey Neal Neal Stillson, two Miss Gorams, Miss Johnson, Miss Fargo, Miss Bird and Miss Beecher. Dr. Denton delivered the address in the evening, which which was spoken of in high terms. For supper thcro were wild honey and cranberries, and the moats wild deer and turkey. The wine, brandy, &c, was brought from Detroit. Miss Venus Whitmore (the evening star) and Gen. Cass opened the ball, and Miss Minerva Rumsey had the ,pleasure of being tho secon partner of Gen. Cass. It would bo woll to say that all the ladies hac the pleasure of dancing with Oen. Cass. The ball continued till late the noxt morning, and ;ifter breakiast Gen. Cass nnd his pnite sturted for Detroit in a lumber stage. Judge Anthony Case and OHverfr Whitmoro were the first side judgca hrro and Jndga Vex;er the firat chief-justice.