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HULETT FAMILY HISTORY
Written by Allyn Dean
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In writing this early history of the Hulett Family, continuing down with the John Hulett branch. I have nothing to go on in the was of actual dates, as most of it came to me by events that the older members of the family told me about, that happened when they were young. At that time I was about twenty years old and their memories went back about seventy years before that. Now that I am nearing seventy the span of memory covers a period of over one hundred and twenty years and some of the events they heard of carries it on back about two hundred years ago. Claude Hulett was born in France. He came to the United States and settled in St. Lawerwnce County New York. He was among the many French settlers who settled in St.Lawerance County. There were also many settlers who came to Vermont, from Scotland and Ireland and moved from there to St. Lawerence County. Claude Hulett married a Scotch girl from this strain of people. I have not been able to learn the name of this woman. I do not know how many children were born to Claude and his wife. The only ones I ever heard of were the three who had children that came to Grand Traverse County, Michigan and settled in the Kingsley-Summit City area. There was one that I know of, his name was John Hulett. Also two Daughters, Polly Hulett, who married Noah Taylor, and Clarissa Hulett, who married Justus Morhouse. There were probably more in the family as all families were large in those days, and the Huletts were of no exception. The three mentioned above may have need among the younger members of the family's, According to the way events figure out they were probably born in a period from 1770-1800. John Hulett Sr. son of the above mentioned, John claimed he remembers his Grandfather Claude when he was near one hundred years old. At what time in John Sr. life this was we have no way of knowing. The first John Hulett, some report it married a girl by the name of Clark, yet they also said that John's son John Hulett Sr. and Franklyn Taylor were double first cousins. Each ones mother was a sister to the other ones father, so in that case the wife of the first John Hulett would be the sister to Noah Taylor, who Married John' s sister Polly. John Sr. also spoke of his mothers father and called him Grandfather Clark, however he may have been referring to him by his first name as some of the later generations of the family often did their grandparents. John Sr. referred to this grandfather as also being nearly one hundred years old. At this time I will explain, that there were three generations of John Hulett�s. John the son of Claude, John Sr. and John Jr. The first John and his wife had Five children, they were Hannah, Homer, Samuel, John and Benjamin. John died about 1807, at the age of 35. His wife died six months later at the birth of the son Benjamin, age 33. The sister Hannah was 14 at the time of her Parents death. She kept the family together for two years, then they scattered, some never to see the other again. The family of Benjamin was not located again till 100 years later, in Aberdeen, Washington. The first John and his wife lived all of their lives in St.Lawerence County, New York. Many people at this time were pushing on west across the St.Lawerence River into Ontario, Cananda. Hannah Hulett and her husband made this move. Homer and Samuel remained in St. Lawerance County. John Sr. remained there, 62 years before coming to Michigan. One report was that Benjamin was taken to Adrian, Michigan. John Hulett Sr. was born February 23, 1805 in Canton, St.Lawereance County, New York. His parents died when he was two, his sister kept the family together for two year�s , then his grandfather took him to the home of Major Barnum where he remained until he was able to care for himself. John Sr. married Lucy Burnett. I have never found the date of this marriage. The records of this family were in a Bible taken by Marco Hulett when he left Michigan for Missouri. John Sr. and Lucy were the parents of seven children. They were Clarissa Sally,Corinthia,, Phoebe, Polly,John Jr., and Henry. The mother Lucy died when Henry was born, about 1840, Henry was taken by his mother�s sister and was cared for by her and went by her name, which I have been told was Barnes. Phoebe and Polly died in infancy. That left at home with their father three daughters and one son, Clarissa, Sally, Corinthia and John Jr. John Sr. owned a small farm near DeKalb, New York. He was a farmer, a woodsman, and a hunter, the latter more than a farmer. At this time a number of people were leaving St.Lawerance County and moving to Illinios. They settled and named DeKalb, Illinois for their home DeKalb, New York. When the Hulett family reached maturity Clarissa married Gardner, "first name unknown to me". Sally married Clark Fraiser and Corinthia married Steele. They all moved to DeKalb, Illinios and their brother John Hulett Jr. followed them, making his home with his sister Clarissa Gardner. In about 1847 John Hulett Sr. married Elizabeth Bryant. They continued to live on the farm at DeKalb, New York. To this union were born ten children. Maria, Albion, Emma Homer, Bryon, Samuel, George, Marco, Alice, and Delbert. Delbert died in infancy and the rest survived to old age, some to be very old. Maria, Emma, and Alice , were later know as Mattie, Hattie and Millie. At this time we will refer back to the family of the first wife of John Hulett Sr., the mother of John Jr. The Grandmother of John Hulett Jr. was Polly Benjamin, she lived in St.Lawerence County DeKalb. She first married Burnett, first name unknow to me, They were the parents of five daughters. They being Lucy, married to John Hulett Sr., Eveline,married to Philander Taylor, Lois married Carver. The other two I do not know the names of. one of them was the one who raised John Jr's brother Henry, the youngest girl was taken by some friends of the family and raised by them. Mr.Burnett died when the daughters were quite young. Polly Benjamin Burnett, then married a second time. This man being, John Bonney. To John and Polly were born three children. Polly Bonney, who married Franklyn Taylor, Reuben Bonney whose wife name was Susan, and Clara Bonney who married Hiram Beech.
Of this family Burnett, Lucy Hulett died in St.Lawrence
County. Eveline Taylor and Lois Carver moved to De Kalb, Illinois.
The two younger sisters lived in St.Lawrence County New York. Around 1850 many people were leaving New York, state and moving west to Illinois. Many members of the Hulett family made this move.
Most of them were descendants of the daughters of the family.
The only one by the name of Hulett that I know of who went there
was John Hulett Jr. While in Illinois he stayed with his sister
Clarissa Gardner. Among these were Polly Tayor, the daughter of Claude Hulett, Her sister Clarissa Morehouse. Also their children, and grandchildren. Also the sisters of John Hulett Jr, Clarissa Gardner, Sally Fraiser, and probably Corinthea Steele, who later came to Summit City. By this time Corinthia had married Terrill, and later on Rice, and after she arrived here as Corinthia Hartman. My grandmother Alice Dean tells of an event, which took place in 1865 the year she was 9 years old. Josiah Taylor, the son of Philander, and Eveline Taylor, married Francelia Gardner, daughter of Clarissa Gardner. On their fathers side of the family Philander Taylor, father of Si Taylor, and John Hulett Sr. grand father of Francelia Gardner, were double first cousins.Also, Si Taylor's mother Eveline, was the sister of Lucy Hulett, Francelias grandmother. Polly Taylor lived to see this marriage, where her grandson Si Taylor married Francina Gardner, great grand daughter of her brother the first John Hulett. At this time "spring of 1865", The familys of Clarissa ,Gardner Clark, and Sally Fraiser, Philander Taylor, and Si Taylor, and his bride, Franceclia, decided to migrate to Iowa. They formed a caravan of Prairie Scooners, and headed west. They left from the home of Franklyn, and Polly Bonnie Taylor. This couple being the parents of grandma, Allice Dean. In this group were Si Taylor's brother Dan Taylor and Francelia's sister Rosetta Gardner. they rode horse back in this caravan. Dan Taylor and Rosetta Gardner were married when the group reached its destination in Iowa. I might ass at this time that when John Hulett Sr. celebrated his One Hundredth birthday, "February 23, 1905" it was the same year that his granddaughter, Francelia, and Si tayor were married forty years. How many people married Forty-year�s, have a parent living, to say nothing of a grandparent? Also when the caravan made its journey, the Hulett's and Taylor's helped to make the history of the west. As the previous narration indicates, many people were leaving DeKalb, Illinois, and moving on west into Iowa, South Dakota, and Nebraska. Others not liking the prairie country wished to move into a wooded country, as the country from which they came from, and had spent the early part of their lives. Many of them looked to Grand Traverse County, Michigan, knowing that here they could carve a home from the forest, which would be similar to the home of their early lifes in New York State. In the fall of 1865 they came to Grand Traverse County to select land for homesteading. Grand Traverse County was easily accessible to Illinois. They would go from DeKalb to Chicago, then take a boat to Traverse City. As all the land close to Traverse City had been taken, it was necessary to come out to the south side of the county to Mayfield and Paradise Townships. In doing so they passed many homes of people who had been friends both in Illinois and New York. They each selected a quarter section for homestead along the line of Mayfield Township, but could not file claim on that land that fall, as they would have been obligated to stay on it, from then on and could not remain during the winter. They went back to Illinois, for the winter and returned in the spring to find that two of the homesteads had already been claimed by Arron Box, and Thomas Matchett. They drew cuts as to who would get the third one. The lot fell to Franklyn Taylor. This being the NE 1/4 of Section 24, Mayfield Township. John Hulett Jr., located on the SW 1/4 of Section 18, Paradise Township. across the corner NE of the Corner of the Taylors. George Taylor, located on the NW 1/4 of Section 30, Paradise Township. One mile south of the corner of the Tayors, and John Jr. homesteads. During the summer of 1866, John Hulett Jr., and Frank Taylor worked at building a log house, 16x 24 , on the Taylor homestead. They made their home with Mr. & Mrs.William P. De Yoe., a neighbor who had also been a neighbor in Illinois. When the home was complete the first family to arrive here was Lutine Hulett, and Two little daughters, Arvilla, age 3, and Lucy (Stella), who was just an infant. They being the family of John Hulett Jr. They had been with family back in DeKalb, New York. Arvilla Hulet, married Charles H. Barratt in 1880 and lived in Summit City, Michigan. The next to come was George, and Sarah Taylor and two little boys Charlie, and Myron. They came from DeKalb, Illinois by boat to Traverse City, and walked out to the Taylor home, each carrying a bindle of belongings on their backs, and a boy in their arms, and George leading a cow. They did not make the whole distance in one day, so spent the night at the home of Rev. and Mrs. William A. Nickerson. "Now the Stinson place", completing the last 2 1/2 miles to the Taylor home the next morning. I might add here that George Taylor, had married Sarah Knapp, granddaughter of Clarrissa Hulett Morhouse, and as his brothers Si and Dan Taylor, had married Gardner girls who were cousins, George also, married a cousin. In the meantime since the arrival of Lutina Hulett, who did all of the corresponding for the group here, a letter was received from John Hulett Sr. from DeKalb, N.Y., that he, and his family wanted to come here and take a homestead too. It was agreed among them, that if he wanted to come here, they would help him get settled. A letter was sent to John Sr. telling him to come on out to Michigan. Two weeks before thanksgiving Polly Bonney Taylor, and six children arrived from DeKalb, Illinois. But the youngest one Reuben Taylor, had taken sick on the boat, and died. At the same time a letter cane from John Hulett Sr., stating that he and his wife and nine children, would arrive in two weeks As the Taylor house was sheltering 16 people now, eleven more would more than fill it to over capacity. So arrangements were made for George Taylor and his family, to go to the home of Ed Wall, whose homestead, joined the George Taylor homestead. Ed Wall had been their neighbor in both DeKalb, Illinois, and DeKalb, New York. John Sr. and family boarded a boat at, Ogdensburg, St.Lawrence Co. on the St. Lawrence River. This journey was to carry them, through, Lake Ontario, and Erie, Lake St.Clair, and Lake Huron, through the Straits into Lake Michigan. The boat was bound for Chicago, but one of its stops was Northport, Michigan., here the family landed. John Sr. spent his last $50.00, hiring a man to haul his family and belongings to Traverse City. Where, Frank Taylor, met them and brought them to his home, with his ox team. The day of the arrival being the day before Thanksgiving in 1866. So here we have 23 people living in the Taylor home, from Thanksgiving 1866, until some time in February 1867. John Hulett Sr. set about a short time looking for land, to homestead. He soon located a homestead in Section 6, NE 1/4 in Greenwood Township, Wexford County, This place is now owned by Maurice Hulett. John Sr. and Three of his sons, Albion 17, Homer 14, and Byron 12, would go from the Taylor home each day, to work on their homestead, building a house. This house like the rest, was built of logs, the difference being it was 16ft. square, one story high, with a shed roof, but it was soon ready, and by the last of February 1867, the family moved in. By spring John Hulett Jr. had his home ready to move from the Taylor home. So by spring of 1867 every one was in their own homes. Now, we must return to the life of John Hulett Sr., and John Hulett Jr. For awhile their lives were so entwined with the lives of these other relatives that is was necessary to bring them into this narration. Of course they were in association with the rest of their lives, but it will not be necessary to mention them again. We know that the two elder daughters of John Hulett Sr. moved from DeKalb New York, to Illinois and later to Iowa. These being Clarissa Gardner, and Sally Fraiser. The third Daughter Corinthia Hartman, may have been in Illinois too, but we know she eventually came to Summit City, Michigan, where she died in 1902. She is buried in the Evergreen Cemetery, on a lot joining the lot where several members of the John Hulett Sr. family are burried. Her grave marker reads Alvira C. Hartman 1834-1902. On the same day her sister died in Iowa, thus John Hulett Sr. lost two daughters in the same day. He being 97 years of age at the time. John Sr. attended the funeral of Corinthia Hartman, which was held in the Summit City, M.E. Church. At the same time, the funeral of Clarissa Gardner, was being conducted in Iowa, and Michigan being on Central Standard time then, both funerals were at exactly the same hour. As of Henry Hulett, son of John Sr. and Lucy, he the one being taken by his mothers sister and raised by her, he grew up to be a man at the home of his Aunt. When the Civil War broke out, he took up the cause of the South. He went south and enlisted in the Rebel Army. Down in Texas he took sick with Malaria and died. His Aunt had his body returned to DeKalb, New York and Buried under the name of Henry Barnes. Her name being Barnes, although the person informing me of this was not sure that the name was Barnes. This was one of the many cases, where one brother fought for the Confederacy and another for the Union, as John Hulett Jr. served in the Union Army. Some accounts claim that their was 6 children in the John Sr. and Lucy family, leaving out Polly who, died in infancy. But others claim their was a Polly, therefore making 7 children in this family. If Sally Fraiser had not died before Clarissa and Corinthia, she died within the next 4 years. As John Jr. was the only one of the first family left by the time when John Sr. died in 1906. We will now give the account of the Family of John Hulett Sr. and his second wife Elizabeth Bryant, and then return to John Jr. who is in the direct line of descendent in the enumeration. The first of the 10 children of John Sr. and Elizabeth Hulett, was Maria, Later known as Mattie. She was born about 1848 and was 18 when the family came to Grand Traverse region. She married George Geiger and they lived several years on a farm near Kingsley. Divorcing Geiger she married Ike Kreglow, a fellow cousin of the Kreglows to be mentioned here later. She left this region and was later married to Walt Hinman. She finally settled in the state of Washington, and was married a forth time, this man�s name I never heard. She lived till in the 1930� years. The second one was Albion, born about 1849, and was 17 when they came here. At the age of 21 he homesteaded the SE ¼ of Section 4, Greenwood Township. This being on the East side of the road at what is known as Baxter. It is now owned the North Half by Harry Geiger, and the south half by Eral Muth. Back in the field toward the south side is an orchard, and it was near this orchard where Albion had his buildings. He later traded farms with William Rose, of Allindale, and moved to that community where he was to remain most of his life, except for a few years back at his fathers homestead. While living on his homestead, he married Clarissa Ellis, of Manton. To them was born 8 children, While on his father homestead his wife left him, taking her family with her. He then returned to Allendale. He was also in Oklahoma, some time. Owned some property there when he died. About 1910, Albion decided to visit his brother, and sisters. In the spring of the year, he hitched his team to the wagon, and started for the west, where most of them were. As he went along he engaged in the horse trading business and by the time he reached the home of his brother in Missouri, he had several horses tied behind the wagon. Among these was a riding pony he gave to Marc�s children. He continued on, visiting relatives, and trading horses till he reached Aberdeen, Washington. Here he visited his younger sister, and started the return trip. He came through the Upper Peninsula, and across the Straits, and toward fall when he arrived at the home of his brother Byron Hulett at Summit City, he had twelve horses behind the wagon. He made his headquarters with Byron for several days visiting his brothers, Sam, and George, and half brother John Jr. Also several cousins, and then returned to Allendale. He probably received considerable profit from his horse dealings. Albion Hulett died in 1927, he had lived alone several years. His daughter died, and word was sent to Allendale, a neighbor went to notify Albion. The neighbor found Alboin, lying in the barn door dead, where he had been struck by lightening in a storm several days before. He was 78 years of age. The third child of John Sr. and Elizabeth Hulett was Emma, later known as Hattie. She was born about 1850, and was 16 when the family came here. She first married William Monroe of Monroe Center, he was several years older than she, they had one daughter. After a few years, she, her husband and went to Orland, Indiana. She then married, John Watson, they had one son. Where they lived I do not know. Hattie, later married Charles Whitesall, and they lived at Burwell, Nebraska. She died in late 1939, or early 1940. She was 89 years of age, Mr. Whitesall had preceded her in death. The forth one was Homer Hulett, born about 1852, and was 14 when the family came to Grand Traverse region. Homer grew to manhood here and married, Viola Wilsey, they had two sons. They separated, and Viola returned here with the two boys, Homer remained in the west. The next we heard of him he was in the Oklahoma land rush.
He and his oldest son, who was still a boy, and Homers
brother Maroc, had a horse and buggy, when the signal was given
they started out across the land to stake a claim. |