EARLY HISTORY of BROOKFIELD
copied from the third issue of the Brookfield Courier, May 17, 1876
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In the later part of April, 1793, David Gates and Ethan Babcock, two young men residing in Leydon, Mass., hearing wonderful accounts concerning the "Far West," as New York was then called, resolved to go hither. Several years previous to their starting for the new country, the father of Ethan Babcock had purchased a tract of land lying in Beaver Creek Valley and it was this land they purposed to settle. They set out on foot from Leydon, and after enduring many privations reached Winfield, in the fore part of May. Here they rested several days before proceeding farther. They bought a yoke of oxen, some provisions and tools, and on the 25th of May, set out for Brookfield. Their progress through the woods was necessarily slow and they did not reach the valley until nearly night. They had no time to erect a shelter, so they cut down a basswood tree, split it open and lay upon it until morning. The place where this tree was cut is on the farm now owned by Oliver Babcock, 2d., near the old burying grounds. The next day they built a cabin and commenced clearing the land.
Game being plenty they had no trouble in obtaining plenty to eat. After having cleared a few acres and made a considerable amount of ashes, they began the manufacture of potash, which they carried to Winfield in tubs upon the yoke of the oxen. This was the first potash ever made in Brookfield, and some of the first made in Madison County. They stayed here until fall, clearing up the land, making potash, etc. In the fall they went back to Winfield, Mr. Babcock returning to his house in Massachusetts, and Mr. Gates going to work by the month.
In the following spring, Mr. Babcock returned from Mass., bringing with him his family and his brother, Oliver. Mr. Babcock made haste to complete his log house which he had partially built the year before. This is the first home built in this valley. It was located just back of where the Academy building stands. Oliver Babcock, brother of Ethan, also built a house the same year near where his son, Oliver now resides. In the year following, Oliver Babcock, senior, father of Oliver and Ethan, came from Massachusetts and built a saw-mill on the same spot where Elijah Clarke's mill now stands. This has been used for mill purposes ever since that time.
In 1796 (several persons having settled in the valley) a hog belonging to Captain Joseph Babcock was killed by a large black bear and was partially devoured. Supposing the bear would return, two fellows named Zeb Brown and Jonas Frink, resolved to await his return and shoot him. They got an old musket, loaded it with powder and ball and concealed themselves in the bushes near the hog. Before the had waited a great while, their fears got the better of them and they concluded to let the bear have his meal to himself. On their return they encountered David Gates who took the gun, went back and shot the bear which proved to be a monster, dressing over 400 pounds. This was near where the stream mill now stands.
