Comments:

ypsidixit - 2007-08-27 08:56:08
Here's a li'l Woodruff's Grove historical doodad for ya. First United Methodist Church downtown. A fixture of great majesty and dignity, yes? Of course. Well, imagine Ypsidixit's shock when she found out that it was founded by a wandering preacher-man who was married SIX TIMES--in the early 19th century, no less!--and who stopped by Woodruff's Grove in 1825.....(sound of looping harp music signifying going back in time)

"In the fall of 1824, Pattee, "a man of moderate talents and limited education but of great zeal", was appointed to the fledgling Detroit Circuit, a station on the Sandusky District of the Ohio Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church...In March, 1825 the Rev. Pattee arrived in the small settlement of Woodruff's Grove in the Michigan Territory.

"Eventually married six times with seven children, Pattee was in his third marriage and the fifteenth year of his itineracy when admitted to the Ohio Conference and sent to preach "in the wilds of Michigan" in 1822...Pattee is described by a contemporary as "large of stature, commanding in personal appearance, dressing in breeches, stockings and shoe-buckles, which costume with his graceful, natural attitudes, set off his portly, symmetrical figure to great advantage; strong in lungs and voice, and although dignified, zealous and emotional. [it's good to be symmetricl when you're portly --Ed.]"

"Ezra D. Lay in his 'History of the M. E. Church' says, "As early as May, 1825, Rev. Elias Pattee preached a sermon at Woodruff's Grove and formed a class of five persons, which was the first religious society in Washtenaw County." Rev. Elijah H. Pilcher, in an 1870 letter says, "Elias Pattee was appointed to Detroit Circuit in 1824 and in the spring of 1825 visited Ypsilanti or Woodruff's Grove, preached, and formed a Society."

"The small Methodist Society in Woodruff's Grove was not only the first Protestant religious society in Washtenaw County, it was also the first in the state west of Wayne County. It is believed by the author to be the sixth established Methodist preaching station in the state, following Detroit, Monroe, the River Rouge, Pontiac and Mt. Clemens. More info.
-------------------------------
James Mann - 2007-08-27 11:00:15
The Wooddruff's Theme Park sounds like a fun idea to me, but it would have to be a water park. The site of Wooddruff's grove is now under Ford Lake. Take a deep breath and enjoy.
-------------------------------
Laura (Ypsidixit) - 2007-08-27 11:07:56
Thank you kindly, esteemed local historian, for that clarification.

Just a minor setback in the ambitious plan to reinvent Ypsilanti's economy with a catchy historical theme park.

Underwater, hmm? Bah! Minor details, minor details. When you dream big dreams you just can't get all snarled up in minor details, nosir, you can't. Not at all.
-------------------------------

add your comment:

your name:

back to the entry - Diaryland