PONTON site (20MD538) introduction

The Ponton Site is an 1830's settler site located on the north side of the Chippewa river on property acquired by Chippewa Nature Center in 2001.  The site was originally brought to our attention by the late Mr. Art Pomranky of Midland, Michigan in July 1995.  The Oxbow Archaeologists conducted excavations at the site between 2002-2004 and 2013-2019.  The Ponton site is of interest for local Midland history because it is probably the site of the earliest settler in the Midland area (Midland's first permanent settler arrived about two or three years latter).  The site is also of interest because of it's short occupation (no more than three years) that gives us a glimpse of life on the frontier of Michigan Territory shortly before statehood and the lifestyle of newly arrived immigrants.

Historical Research

Judge Albert Miller (first probate judge of Saginaw County)recorded an interesting account of a visit to this site in the Michigan Pioneer and Historical Collections:

“Just above the Forks of the Tittabawasee River the Chippewa takes a long detour, with a rapid current which, it was supposed by the early settlers of the Saginaw Valley, would furnish a great water power if the river were dammed and a canal were cut across the bend so as to get the fall of a mile or more of rapid current of the river.  Before the general adaptation of steam for mill power that point was considered of great value as the nearest point for furnishing mill power for Saginaw.  The late James Fraser interested himself greatly in trying to get the water power improved.  In the fall of 1833 Mr. Fraser induced an Englishman named John Ponton, who had been interested in mills in the old country, to purchase the site with a view of erecting a mill on it.  Mr. Ponton had his goods shipped to Saginaw by the Fur Company’s vessel, and came himself with his wife to Mr. Jewett’s at Green Point, where they remained till a structure for their temporary residence was erected at the Forks, to which point they removed with their household furniture by water, there being no road that could be travelled by a wheeled vehicle, only a trail for foot and horseback travel.  [While the subject is before me I will say that, after more than fifty years since the enterprise of constructing a water mill at the Forks was contemplated, the Chippewa still purses its rapid course across the point, and the visions of weath to be derived from improving the water have long since “vanished into thin air,” steam furnishing power for the immense manufacturing business of the Saginaw valley.]

But to return to my story.  Among the effects of Mr. Ponton there was an ox-wagon which could not be transported in the light canoes then generally in use; but for heavier transportation a larger boat was resorted to, which was constructed from two logs, each like a half canoe, and dowelled together, forming what was called a pirogue, which would carry heavy burdens, being propelled by one or more pairs of oars.  I was induced to transport Mr. Ponton’s wagon to the Forks in a boat of the above description, with the row locks so near the bow that I sat upon it while propelling the boat.  I had a boy to steer.  After some labor in propelling the boat against the current, the wagon was finally delivered at the landing place, and I was ready to start on the return trip about sunrise on a December morning when ice was beginning to form on the shores of the river.  Before starting I put on my overcoat, and thought a few vigorous pulls on the oars would warm my blood so that I should be comfortable the rest of the day.  I had just pulled far enough to get into deep water when my oars, being icy, slipped from the row-locks; I lost my balance and plunged heels over head into the icy fountain of the Tittabawassee.  After much ado, I got on board the boat again, but the prospect for a comfortable day was not very flattering, - twenty-five miles of rowing before me to get home, and sixteen before I should come to a house where I could warm myself or dry any of my clothes."

We have been able to identify a number of other documents that relate to the Ponton site and help piece together its history.  From documents at the Midland County Register of Deeds we know that in 1832 Thomas Ponton "located" the land the site is on at the Land Office of the United States.  Geneological research shows that Thomas returned to his native England in 1833 where he married Rosina Sarah Ann Wells in London in August 1833.

Another person associated with the site who enters our historical sources at about this time is James Ponton.  We have not been able to trace his precise relation to Thomas but we presume he was a brother. This might be the “John” Ponton mentioned in Judge Millers account quoted above who also recorded a story about the Cater site located across the river.  James Ponton is recorded in the probate case associated with the Cater site.  As Judge Miller records about 1833 James Frazier, an early Saginaw entrepreneur went into business with an Englishman named “John” Ponton to establish a mill.  He notes that the location was considered to be the closest location to Saginaw suitable for a mill.  Interestingly, the Government Land Office surveyor’s map for Midland Township shows a “mill seat” at CNC’s Oxbow located just south of the Ponton site.  James Ponton also occurs in the Oakland County Probate records for the Abram Cater estate (located across the river) in 1834.

Records at the Midland County Register of Deeds indicate that Thomas Ponton (described as "of New York City") paid for the land the site is on and received a land patent in September 1834.  In June 1835, Thomas and Rosina Sarah Ann Ponton (described as "of Saginaw") sold the land to Edward LeRoy and Daniel Fitzhugh (both from New York State) for $525.00.  LeRoy sold his share to Fitzhugh in 1841 and Fitzhugh owned the land until 1880.  So far we have not been able to trace what happened to the Pontons or where they went after they left our site.