My boss offered me his property 2 hours away BUT

mr helton · Sep 3, 2014

First off, I live in Michigan, and he has property in the thumb part of the state. He says his family purchased the property in like 1818, and that there was a 1700s homesite there when they bought it. The problem is, I can't find anything even close to confirming that, in fact, the nearest town was founded in the 1850s. I'm honestly not even sure I believe they moved there as early as 1818. If it wasn't such a drive from me, I wouldn't even question it and just drive out there. What do you guys think? Is it really possible that there are [presumably late] 1700s homesteads in the thumb of Michigan?

cooper1841 · Sep 3, 2014

Mr. Helton, I live in the Thumb, In 1814 Fort Gratiot was established at the Southern end of Lake Huron, and was considered the first Euro-Amercian population in Michigan. Not to say there were not home sites before that, as there were many trappers, hunters, and plenty of Indians in the Thumb. .. As late as as 1836, there was still an Indian reservation in "downtown" area of Port Huron. The history of the Thumb is well documented in many books, by local authors. I know the area well.............if you need anything.

mr helton · Sep 3, 2014

That's very interesting. The property in question is about 100 acres near Port Huron actually. There are multiple early-mid 1800s homesites there as well. I'd be interested in any books you might recommend.

Edit: whoops it's actually close to Port Huron, I got the two mixed up

DeepseekerADS · Sep 3, 2014

I'd search that in a New Jersey Minute!

what the heck are you waiting for? WAKE UP!!! Don't quibble over inaccurate family legends. It dates back, what else do you want?

cooper1841 · Sep 3, 2014

That is very intresting, I have lived in or within 10 miles of Port Huron all my life (59) years. I am currently hunting a couple late 1800's sites in the area. Let me find some reading material for you

cooper1841 · Sep 3, 2014

Google: the history of St Clair Co. Michigan............enough web sites, and books to keep you busy all snowy Winter. I am retired and hunt 3 -4 days a week, let me know if you get over this way, and want to do some exploring................I have some pretty good spots as well

cooper1841 · Sep 3, 2014

Port Huron ? or Port Sanilac? If Port Sanilac, Google Huron County History, lots of info on both

mr helton said:
That's very interesting. The property in question is about 100 acres near Port Huron actually. There are multiple early-mid 1800s homesites there as well. I'd be interested in any books you might recommend.

Edit: whoops it's actually close to Port Huron, I got the two mixed up

mr helton · Sep 3, 2014

LOL! I typed Port Huron again but meant to type Port HOPE. It’s by Port HOPE.

cooper1841 · Sep 3, 2014

Thats a ways north of me. I deer hunted there every year in the 70s-80s. Still Huron County, I belive. Google the great thumb fire, killed many, and wiped out everything, I think late 1800's. Small farm town, best bar burger ever, dont blink, I dont even think there is a traffic light. Right on Lake Huron, beautiful spot!

cooper1841 · Sep 3, 2014

Do you use historicmapworks.com ,it has a nice overlay feature for present back to 1800s

Lady Pirate · Sep 3, 2014

I lived on Fisher Road. Right on the St. Clair & Sanilac County Line. Corner little green house and had 3 sod farms, and I was married to a one son of "Bitel Sod Farm". Moved to Wellman Line Road on 10 acres for 10 years, that's my first years of metal detecting. Back in 1985. I would go to that place in a heartbeat! Hell yeah, like yesterday! Go man Go!!!

locater · Sep 3, 2014

100 acres, 1800's. YOU WOULDN'T HAVE TO ASK ME TWICE!! I live in west Michigan, a 3 plus hour drive, and I would go in a second. What a great opportunity!

cooper1841 · Sep 3, 2014

Small world, LadyPirate..........been by there hundreds of times!!!

Lady Pirate said:
I lived on Fisher Road. Right on the St. Clair & Sanilac County Line. Corner little green house and had 3 sod farms, and I was married to a one son of "Bitel Sod Farm". Moved to Wellman Line Road on 10 acres for 10 years, that's my first years of metal detecting. Back in 1985. I would go to that place in a heartbeat! Hell yeah, like yesterday! Go man Go!!!

prospexican · Sep 3, 2014

well try to google the land and see if you find any thing of interest, like old fences or irregular land or any thing of interest.
also with a 2 box machine you will be able to walk faster to cover more ground

Lady Pirate · Sep 3, 2014

cooper1841 said:
Small world, LadyPirate..........been by there hundreds of times!!!

We let many a people pheasant hunt on the farms.....as long as they gave me one. I also worked at "County Corner Party Store" on corner of Yale Road and Shephard Road back then when Jeff Scheffelbine owned it for a few years. Know plenty of people from there. Actually lived next to The Coopers on Wellman Line Road. Bootie & Coop (Ervin)

CaptainCoil · Sep 4, 2014

Fresh grounds with a bit of history! that's definitely worth the drive.

LM · Sep 5, 2014

100 acres is an awfully big haystack.

Might want to spend a couple days doing recon, seeing if you can't locate evidence of a homesite. Definitely do all the book work and research you can. Aimless wandering gets old, fast, after your third, fourth, fifth hour in the middle of a field without a single hit.