Harwood Cemetery - 2004-11-16 21:58:29
...lies at the southeast corner of Textile and Campbell.
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tells its story.
�This peaceful plot of land, named for the family that donated it, is the final resting place of a key figure in the founding of Ypsilanti as well as prominent participants in the Underground Railroad.
�William Webb Harwood came to the area from Palmyra, New York, with his wife Sally and their children in 1824. With Augustus Woodward and John Stewart, Harwood platted the village of Ypsilanti. In 1829, he erected a dam and established a gristmill and, the following year, built Ypsilanti�s first schoolhouse. Moving to Pittsfield Township in the mid-1830s. Harwood became a supporter of the abolitionist movement and offered sanctuary to escaping slaves. In this endeavor, he was joined by Asher Aray, a man of mixed race whose family farmed east of the Harwoods on the Chicago Road (now US 12). In 1853, Aray sheltered a group of 28 slaves whose flight to freedom was documented nationwide.
�The Arays and their relatives, the Days, are both buried here in an unusual show of tolerance for the time. Harwood Cemetery, once the central burying ground for Pittsfield Township, also contains the remains of Robert and William Geddes, two of the area�s original land patentees.�
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...of either Jacob or Asher Aray
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...at the 2004 plaque dedication.
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lies at the southeast corner of the cemetery. Let's go look at that big stone.
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...lies here.
* * * * * * * * * * * * William Harwood - 2004-11-16 23:31:23
was married no fewer than 3 times, first to Sally, with whom he had William and Rosina, then his second wife Alma, who died in 1836, and then to Polly, with whom he had Henry and Martin.* * * * * * * * * * * * The cemetery's 3 oldest graves - 2004-11-16 23:45:46
are those of William's son Robert (at left), his first wife Sally (second from left), and his second wife Alma (third from left). Sally's 1824 grave breaks the record for the oldest grave Y. and her adventurous friend have seen thus far in the county.
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along with Augustus Woodward and John Stewart, bought the first tracts of land in downtown Ypsi in 1825, thus establishing the city.* * * * * * * * * * * * Let's go to the Geddes plot - 2004-11-17 02:04:03
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William Geddes Grave - 2004-11-17 02:10:22
* * * * * * * * * * * * William Geddes - 2004-11-17 09:21:31
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..is the soure of the oldest document in Pittsfield Township.
"The oldest document to turn up so far dates back to 1827. It is a copy of the patent for a land grant for 160 acres purchased by William Geddes for his farm at Morgan and Platt Roads. The document is signed by the sixth president of the United States, John Quincy Adams." * * * * * * * * * * * *
a map - 2004-11-17 09:33:31Geddes made of the landowners in his neck of the woods. �* * * * * * * * * * * * William''s older brother Rob - 2004-11-17 09:36:41
Newspaper article: "Hermit's Cell," date and origin unknown:
"Ann Arbor, Mich., Sept. 17--One of the most interesting places in this county is the hermitage of Robert Geddes in Pittsfield township. Mr. Geddes is a bachelor of about 60 years who lives in a rickety frame house built in the 30s. He has a long white beard, reaching nearly to his waist. Not a sign of a carpet, rug or cushion was to be seen in the rooms, but corn cobs, farm utensils and rubbish were strewn about the place.
"But stored away in one corner of the kitchen was an old chest and from this the hermit drew out evidences of culture that would gladden the most refined. He said: "I have an old Shakespeare that you might like to see," and brought forth a copy of the first Shakespeare printed in America. The edition consisted of eight volumes, bound in calf, all finely preserved and very rare. The old man told of its peculiarities and quoted Shakespeare like a college professor." * * * * * * * * * * * * K.J. - 2004-11-17 09:37:08
Ha, I can still see the family resemblance. I had a friend in high school named Alicia Geddes. Her father is the pastor of the Baptist church on the corner of Willis and Saline-Milan Rd. in Saline. They live in the church-owned house next door. His brother is a physicist. Their name is actually pronounced Gedd-iss, not Gedd-eez. You would sometimes get an eye roll if you talked about driving on Gedd-eez Rd.* * * * * * * * * * * * Laura - 2004-11-17 10:06:53
Thanks, K.J.; I had no idea about the correct pronunciation.* * * * * * * * * * * * William Geddes - 2004-11-17 10:08:52
was only one of the many mesmerizing attractions at the charming little Harwood cemetery; hope you enjoyed your virtual visit as much as I did.* * * * * * * * * * * * add your comment: