•Big Creek•
Historical
Notes
&
Articles
Source: Cleveland Plain Dealer, No. 120, May 10, 1895, Part 2 (Special Section), p.2
On a high wooded bluff, now a part of Riverside cemetery, and at a place where a fine view of the Cuyahoga river and its valley may be obtained, was located the first house on the West Side, as far as is now known. A Canadian named Granger built a log hut there. He was accompanied by his two sons and together they resided there for several years. The hill on which they lived is still known as “Granger hill” by the residents of the South Side. All the land west of the river belonged to Richard and Samuel Lord and Josiah Barber, as their share of the division by the Connecticut Land Co. Granger had not purchased from them and was consequently a “squatter.” He was living there when James Fish, first permanent white settler, arrived in May of 1812. Three years later Granger sold his improvements to one of the Brainards and moved away.
James Fish came from Groton, Ct., which place he left in 1811. To a lumber wagon he had hitched two oxen. These pulled all his earthly belongings, the most important of which were his wife, three children and his mother-in-law, through the woods on the long journey of forty-seven days. This outfit was only a part of the retinue of a party of pioneers who made the trip. In the party were Moses and Ebenezer Fish, cousins of James.
As James would not be able to supply his family with provisions in the midst of the woods in winter weather they remained in Newburg until the spring. As soon as the weather allowed James put up a log house not far from what is now the center of Brooklyn and in May the family moved in. The house cost the enormous sum of $18. Isaiah Fish was the first white child born west of the river.
The father planted his crop, but was obliged to work in Newburg until it was harvested. He walked five miles to his place of work and five miles back again every day, and carried the provisions for his family on his back. His wife assisted in supporting the family by weaving coverlets, which were considered very artistic and sold for a good price. But as money was scarce both husband and wife were paid in provisions. Thus the first settlement was made in Brooklyn about six years before the first inhabitant of what is known as the West Side took up his abode there.
James Fish purchased 130 acres on the north side of what
was known as Newburg street, but is now Denison avenue.
The cousins Ebenezer and Moses, bought eighty acres on the
south side of the street. Both of them served in the war
of 1812. James Fish lived until 1875. He was known as Old
Uncle Jim. Many interesting stories are told of him, especially
those relating to his penchant for killing rattlesnakes,
with which the region abounded. On Big creek, west of his
home, was a place known as Rattlesnake den. His cows would
often wander to the creek. Uncle Jim told several persons
now living that one evening early in spring he went there
for the cows, and discovered a nest of rattlesnakes. The
reptiles were only partially thawed out and he had little
difficulty in killing seventeen adnd carrying them home
on a stick thrown over his shoulder.