On July 22, 1782, David Zeisberger and his followers founded the first settlement in Clinton Township. He described the site of "New Gnadenhutten" in his diary, "founded on this side of the river a fine place to lay out a town on a height...between the river and the height, there are many springs with many separate little brooks that flow into the river and have exceedingly good water. The land on the site of the town is so sandy...the lowlands are very rich with heavy timber. We chose this place before all others for our town site...heavily laden boats can go even to the fork, a half-mile higher up...and canoes can go much further. We are glad and thankful to have found such a good and healthy a spot for a town site nothing was lacking. We found traces that long ago an Indian town must have stood on this place."
It was in October, 1781 that the British commandant at Detroit, Major DePeyster sent for the missionaries at Schoebrun (Ohio) to answer the charges against them of sympathy to the American cause. After much questioning they were vindicated. In July of 1782, DePyster provided the Moravian Missionaries with provisions and obtained a parcel of land on the Huron River from the Chippewa Indians for use until the war between England and the colonies was over. (This river called "Nottawasippee" by the Indians and French. The English referred to it as The Huron of St. Clair).
Accounts vary as to the number of cabins erected from twenty to thirty with a chapel. On December 19, 1785 along with some of the Indian brethren went to lay a road to Detroit, when finished it became known as Moravian Trail. This was the first wagonway made into the interior of Michigan. It was 23 1/2 miles long to Detroit through the bush. The roads now that follow that course are Moravian to Schoenherr to Gratiot and Six Mile to Detroit City Airport. As a result of Britain losing the war and control of the fort at Detroit, the mission was vacated on April 20, 1786. The Moravians moved to Fairfield, Ontario, which was still under the protection of the British. Later they returned to Ohio.
One of the inhabitants of the Moravian Village who stayed was Richard Connor along with his family. Being on in years, he remained with his family. His life was interesting in itself from his Irish background and early years in Maryland through his relationship with the Indians...even his marriage to Margaret Boyer (herself a captive of the Indians and treated by the chief as his own daughter). Richard Connor (originally O'Connor) and his family were an exception in the Moravian community being neither brethren nor Indian but allowed to live with them because of his character and beliefs. Susannah, his youngest daughter, was born at the settlement and baptized by the Moravians when she was four days old, establishing her as the first child born in Macomb County to English speaking parents.
Susannah married Elisha Harrington in 1807. He had come to the area just the year before from New England. Richard Connor lived at the Moravian site until death on April 17, 1808. Elisha had taken Richard Connor's position of prominence and after serving in the War of 1812, was appointed associate judge around 1819 by then Chief Justice Christian Clemens. Susannah and Elisha lived at the Moravian village in a two story home Elisha constructed after the War of 1812 until their deaths in 1847 and 1848. During the War of 1812, the British seeking revenge offered the Indians $5.00 per American scalp. The settlers sought safety at the fort in Detroit. Upon their return to the Moravian site, they found burnt buildings and much desolation. However, by 1818 the site now known as the town of Frederick (at first called Casino) contained about 20 families. Its main streets were Livingston, Harrington and Shelby. There was a hotel, blacksmith, and a mill. In 1843, it was even busier than High Banks (later to be renamed Mount Clemens). This was the private claim granted to the heirs of Richard Connor and James, William, John and Henry gave their interest to Susannah and Elisha. After the peace of 1815, the Indians never made war upon the settlers. The Moravian site also had a small clearing and burial spot upon it and occasionally a company of Indians would visit and have a powwow wow there.
In 1827, the 5th Congress of the United States appropriated $8000 for pay and supplies for a survey crew. Christian Clemens was a surveyor on this project and decided to settle at Big Springs while doing this work. On January 15, 1818, Macomb County was created by Proclamation of Louis Cass, and in April of the same year our court system was created.
In 1827, the township area was larger and encompassed Warren and Erin Townships. The 1st township meeting was held at the courthouse in Mt. Clemens. It was carved from a portion of what had been known as the Northwest Territory. Surveying was done and the township was created encompassing a 6 mile by 6 mile square section.
In 1837, Michigan became a state. At the first meeting of the Michigan Legislature, the river was renamed to honor the Governor of New York (Clinton). The township was then named for the river, which forks into 3 branches within a mile of the original Moravian settlement.
The Erie Canal had proven to be a success in New York, therefore others were looking at canal as being a major means of transporting goods in the future. The Clinton River Navigation Company was founded on April 12, 1827. This project would utilize the waters of the Clinton and Kalamazoo Rivers, thus providing for an easy access for people into the interior of the state. This would also connect the water of Lake St. Clair and Lake Michigan. The Town of Frederick was anticipating a flock of immigrants and freight which people felt certain would follow the completion of the canal. In 1845, Public Act 327 declared 500,000 acres of land was to be sold to provide funds to build locks on the Clinton River at the Village of Fredrick. In 1850, the canal was abandoned where it enters the river in Rochester.
Sections of land in the township were given "In The Territory of Michigan" to veterans of the early wars of our country. During the early development of the township and the Macomb County area, lumbering was the major attraction. This area of the state was very heavily wooded with many hardwood varieties to be found. After the lumbering industry had cleared much of the land, farming became the major occupation of many of the settlers. Along the banks of the Clinton River there were many sawmills and gristmills to aid these settlers.
There were several towns in Clinton Township. There was Fredrick (the original Moravian Mission site) Marcellus (platted in 1838), Quinn (1816-1873) and Cady's Corner (1964-1906). All are no longer in existence.
The Detroit Creamery chapter of our history originated on the property of Emery Trufant who came to this area in 1825 settling at what is now the 16 Mile Road and Gratiot area. He was a farmer, and after his death, John Trufant inherited the property. John was in real estate and railroads, and sold the property to the Detroit Creamery in 1905. This venture grew later acquiring the Engleside Farm in 1915. Also acquired was a cooperative of other farms along Moravian and Nunneley. In the 1940's it was purchased by Twin Pines Dairy. By 1963, its heyday was over.
In 1943, during the war, Paul Weiss proprietor of the Rose Gardens petitioned the Federal Government for permission to relocate Japanese American citizens who were interned in camps. The worked and lived at the Rose Gardens. While here they formed a baseball team and won the league championship in 1947. These actions helped foster increased community cohesiveness between the two cultures. To this day the Weiss family enjoys a friendship of those employees and their descendents who have since moved back to the California area. Our area has been the largest producer of roses in the state since the 1920's. During Gerald Ford's Administration, the Rose Gardens were dealing directly with the White House Floral Staff and making daily shipments of roses to them. Those roses were used for floral arrangements, state dinners, and public areas throughout the White House.
Clinton Township has many old cemeteries, some dating back to the middle 1800's. In each, lie people who have played a part in developing this area, along with many historical figures. In the Clinton Grove Cemetery, on Cass Avenue, there is a veteran there from every war that this country has ever been in. A leisure walk through any one of our cemeteries is a step back into Clinton and Macomb history. Each marker has its own unique story.
The Township of Clinton, which was a General Law Township, was chartered in 1989. We then became known as a Michigan Charter Township therefore making us the Charter Township of Clinton.
In 1996, we can claim the title of the most populated township in Michigan. We have had an average increase in residential homes of 300-400 per year since 1990. Our township offices are located on land adjacent to the "Old Canal". In these pleasant surroundings, we respond to our residents in a number of ways. We have a Senior Center, the Parks and Recreation Department sponsors year round activities for young and old at the site. The DPW maintains the ball fields, soccer fields, volleyball courts and many other of the Civic Center facilities. The gazebo is available for weddings and a host of free summer concerts. Our cultural exchange with Japan will blossom with the gift of a garden to help enhance the entrance to the Senior Center.