Lydia E. S. Chamberlain Purchases Property July 1, 1828

On July 1, 1828, Lydia E. S. Chamberlain purchased property in Section 4 of Almont Township.  Supposedly she was the first person to purchase property in Almont.

The 1884 and 1978 Lapeer County history books include lists of the first people to purchase land in each section of each of the townships. In both books an effort was made to remove sales that were made by speculators who did not come here and settle.  Both books list Lydia E. S. Chamberlain of Macomb County as the first person to purchase land in Lapeer County on July 1, 1828.  She purchased land in Section 4.  Mrs. Chamberlain did not settle on this property.  However, J. Dee Ellis’ book shows two purchases occurred before this date.  Diane Kittredge of Macomb County, Michigan purchased property in Section 34 on May 27, 1828.  No one by the name of Kittredge is on either the 1830 or 1840 U.S. Censuses in Michigan.  Mary Hollister of Macomb County, Michigan purchased property in Section 15 on May 29, 1828. Ms. Hollister is on the 1840 U. S. Census as the “head” of the household, which indicates that her husband was deceased.  She was living in Bruce Township.  She and her husband are buried in the Romeo Cemetery in Romeo.  It may be that the land was purchased for a future move but her husband’s death in 1831 may have altered their plans.