Copyright USGenNet Inc., 2013, All Rights Reserved U.S. Data Repository Please read U.S. Data Repository Copyright Statement on this page: Transcribed and submitted by Karen D. Foster for the US Data Repository http://www.us-data.org/ ========================================================================== U.S. Data Repository NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization. Non-commercial organizations desiring to use this material must obtain the consent of the transcriber prior to use. Individuals desiring to use this material in their own research may do so. ========================================================================== Formatted by U.S. Data Repository Chief Archivist, Linda Talbott All of the above information must remain when copied or downloaded. ========================================================================== SOURCE: History of Genesee County, Michigan pub. Everts and Abbott - 1879 Page 278 JOHN PATON At least one native of "Auld Scotia" built for himself a home in the wilds of this township, entering his land before a single white inhabitant had reared his humble cabin in its forest. Born in Blackford, Perthshire, Scotland, Nov. 5, 1801, his thread of life has spun out to more than an average degree, owing largely, perhaps, to the pure air inhaled among his native hills in his youth. He learned the trade of a weaver, and followed that occupation until his removal to America. On the 21st day of March, 1827, in company with his sister, Marian Paton, he left his old home, and, after stopping a short time near Glasgow, sailed for New York on the 9th of April, arriving at the latter place May 8, 1827. There he saw the first colored people his eyes had ever rested upon, and the sight was a novelty to him. The day following his arrival in New York he visited Paterson, N. J., and a few days later commenced weaving duck at that place for a friend, Mr. Burton. He shortly after obtained a situation in the factory of Mr. Heights, at Little Falls, near Paterson. He afterwards, in company with James Woodhouse, operated a factory on commission, and continued in the business until he came West. Early in 1834, Mr. Patton came to Michigan, and in June of that year purchased land which comprises the principal part of his present farm. As he was unwilling to move upon it at that time, — so far from any others, — he located up the river in what is now Flint township, on the place at present owned by Mr. Warren. Farther up the stream, and about five miles out from Flint, were then living Nathan and Isaac Miles, and eighteen or twenty miles below, in Saginaw County, was one Mr. Hayden. These were the nearest families to Mr. Paton living on the river, and the only ones in the distances mentioned. At the time he located in Flint township, Mr. Paton was unmarried, but was accompanied by John Stothers and wife, from Canada, Mrs. Stothers doing the housework. This couple remained but a short time. Nov. 22, 1835, Mr. Paton was married to Miss Mary Evans, and in February, 1837, moved with his wife and one child to the farm where they now reside. Mrs. Paton was born Jan. 30 or 31, 1816, in Manchester, England. Her parents, although natives of Ireland, were both of English descent. Her mother died in England, and in 1830 her father, John Evans, removed with his daughter to Stockport, N. Y., five miles north of Hudson, Columbia Co., where they remained five years. Their trip, in October, 1835, to Flushing, occupied three weeks' time, the journey being made by canal to Buffalo, thence to Detroit by boat. The Saginaw turnpike was not then completed, although work was progressing upon it, and as Mr. Evans was unable to pro- cure a team in Detroit, he wished his daughter to remain there until he could go to Flushing and bring a team back after her. She demurred, how- ever, thinking she was as well able to walk as her father, and together they started, making Hamilton's tavern, eleven miles out, the first day. The following day they walked to Waterford, twenty-one miles farther, and attended a quilting at that place in the evening. The third day they reached Thomas Irish's tavern in Grand Blanc. Upon arriving there, Mr. Evans drank a quantity of cider when quite warm, and serious results very nearly followed, he becoming for a short time like one dead. His daughter was greatly alarmed, and the presence of a crowd of roughs and horse- thieves, who deliberately proceeded to strip her father and hunt for his valuables, tended to heighten her anxiety, she in the meanwhile being scoffed and jeered by them. At length the landlord appeared and stayed proceedings. Mr. Evans finally recovered, and the next day they walked on through Flint and down to where Mr. Paton was living. In November follow- ing, Mr. Paton and Miss Evans were married, as stated, and after moving to Flushing (in 1837) stayed for a short time in Mr. Evans' log house until a frame structure could be erected on their own place. They are the parents of four children, all living but one, who died at birth. The names and births of those living are respectively as follows : John Paton, Jr., born in Flint township, Sept. 15, 1836. Mary M. Paton, born in Flushing, July 23, 1839. Annie B. Paton, born in Flushing, Feb. 12, 1842. Since coming to Michigan, Mr. Paton's occupation has been that of a farmer. He and his wife were both members of the Presbyterian Church at Flushing, which society is now so disorganized as to hardly be considered an organization. The daughters are both members of the Methodist Church. Politically, Mr. Paton was a member of the old Whig party until the Repub- licans organized, since which time he has stood on the same platform with them. For some account of the trials this estimable family endured in the days when they were pioneers, the reader is referred to the foregoing history of the township of Flushing. ==========================================================================