James & Harriett (Hart) Trumbull

James Trumbull was born in CT in 1791. Harriet Hart was also born in CT between 1791 and 1792. James married Harriett Hart and they moved to NY around the Rochester area. Around 1828 James and Harriett packed up the family and moved to Panama Township, Washtenaw Co., MI. Panama was later renamed Superior Township.

On June 2, 1830 James purchased from John Eddy (original land grant owner), 40 acres for the sum of $1,000.00. This property is in Section 25 and has a creek running through it. The creek is actually a portion of the Lower Rouge River. The Registrar was John Allen (Acting Registrar) and the witnesses were Nathan Andrew and Thomas H. Andrew. (Liber B, Page 72 and Page 73).

A few days later, on June 8, 1830 at 10 a.m., James bought from Henry Kimmel and his wife, Susanna, 40 acres for the sum of $62.50. Again, the Acting Registrar was John Allen. (Liber B, Page 73 & 74). Page 74 was very difficult to read.

James and Harriett Trumbull bought from Mark Norris more acreage on October 23, 1832. The time was 6 p.m. and the transaction was recorded on February 15, 1833, Registrar of Deeds was Charles Morley. This is the only paperwork I have seen where there is an "X" below James' name and written in, "his mark" is shown. (Liber D, Page 139).

Once again, on August 14, 1838 James made another land transaction. James sold to Lewis Townsend, his son-in-law, husband of Maria, and to Jerome Trumbull 80 acres for the sum of $1,600.00. Edward Clark was the Registrar.

This land was in Section 25, Township 2. The witnesses were Walter Watson, George W. Townsend, Ezra Townsend and William M. Clements.

In 1854, September 19, at 5 ½ p.m. James sold 80 acres of his land to his son Jonathon Trumbull. To Lewis Morey, James sold 12 ½ acres and to his son-in-law Lewis Townsend, husband of Maria, he sold 15 acres. The Deputy Registrar was C. M. Fox and the witnesses were James H. Stid? And D. B. Greene. Even though this document clearly states that James is selling property, if you look in the upper left hand corner, the area that shows who the grantor and grantees are, it appears to say Jos. Trumbull to James Trumbull. (Liber 37, Page 603).

During their life together James and Harriett had the following children: Ginett (Janet), Maria V., Eveline, Orsemus, Jonathon, Harvey, Alma A., Andrew, Alva and Owen.

Taking into account a family story that James fought in the War of 1812 - we have not be able to presently document this story. We do know that the land James purchased in MI was not a land grant from the government in payment for his service. (James' tombstone does show that he fought in the War of 1812. However, as Elaine states this has not been documented. -Diane)

James died November 29, 1869. Harriet died in 1862. They are buried at the Cherry Hill Cemetery on Ridge Road, in Canton, Wayne Co., MI. The cemetery is down the road from where his farm was and where his children were.

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