Tracing Our Roots: John and Mary Gladding settle in Windsor in 1806

History has a way of coming full circle. In researching and reading about Ashtabula County pioneers, I have met present-day family members who have provided the missing links or new links to the pioneer story! How exciting to find descendants not only still living in our county, but knowledgeable about their family’s legacy.
Some of the stories have never been publicly printed. Readers have been so kind to contact me and it has been a great experience. I have heard from several from Windsor and need to tell those stories before moving on to the next township.
Harmon Gladding of Windsor contacted me and shared his genealogy, pictures and stories to fill an entire folder. It will be added to the Resource Library at the Jefferson Historical Society. I hope to compile all 28 township pioneer stories by the end of the year and make it available to you readers.
In our county history books, you may find the family name of Gladding also spelled Gladden. Misspellings occurred early on and have remained part of the record. The first Gladding to come to Windsor in 1806 was John, who came from Wethersfield, Connecticut, where he had been a blacksmith’s apprentice in Hartford. While there, he met his wife, Mary Ritter, and married her in 1804. Two years later, they would make the strenuous trip to Ohio, arriving in Windsor in April of 1806.
The trip was made more strenuous by the fact that Mary was about 7 months pregnant with her first child. The couple traveled with two horses and a lumber wagon over the Allegheny Mountains. I wonder if Mary Gladding felt like Mary, the mother of Jesus, as she rode over gutted paths and stones, endured long days of direct sun, wind, rain, and possibly some late spring snow.
Her good character was so notable it was said of her in the 1896 book, “Memorial to the Pioneer Women of the Western Reserve,” that “She was congenial, possessing the rare power of making herself agreeable to old and young and of that urbanity manner which is born of a kind heart.”
Mary had another woman traveling in their party that must have given her comfort and for which she was undoubtedly thankful! Michael and his wife, Thankful Tomlinson (I’m serious) were traveling the difficult trip together, providing encouragement to keep going, I would think.
After four weeks, the party arrived at Windsor and set about building a log structure. The Tomlinson couple built near by on the east side of today’s Route 534 and a quarter mile away from the road in the forest.
The log structure was finished just in time as John and Mary’s first child, Russell, was born in June, making him the first white child born in Windsor. By 1830, a home had been built that was so sturdy, it remains today on Route 534 with Gladding descendants still improving, adding and maintaining the buildings and property.
John was a fence minder, according to history records, maintaining order in property lines, a sort of early law keeper before there were laws. He also continued his blacksmith work. The family grew to include seven children. After Russell’s birth, he was joined by Joseph, Sally, Mary, Marvin, Marcus Daniel, James and Nancy.
Women were left alone to tend to the houses and grounds while the husband pioneer cleared the forest and land, built outbuildings, hunted and fished if possible. The women were often faced with hardships they never dreamed they could handle.
One day, Mary Gladding went after the family cow that had gotten loose in the night. John Gladding was gone from home. Their two boys were left at the cabin, most likely with the threat of death if they tried to leave, but, of course, with the assurance their mother would return shortly. A blanket was hung over the door instead of an actual wood door. During Mary’s absence, a large black dog poked his head in and checked on the children.
But, Mary did not return right away, having gotten lost in the dark. All she thought of were her two boys at home alone and she prayed for God to protect them. She eventually found her way home, and when the boys told her of the black dog who checked in on them, she knew God had sent him and had protected them as a bear had been spotted in the area. This account has been verified by several sources, including historical books.
Sarah Gladding (Sally), daughter of John and Mary, married Chauncey Sacket in 1828 and they had seven children. Chauncey had settled in Windsor with his family in 1801, having come from Paris, Oneida County, New York. His father was Skene Douglas Sacket, a Revolutionary War veteran who is buried and recognized with a marker in the Windsor Township Cemetery.
Chancey was a strong abolitionist and his home was a part of the Underground Railroad hiding and helping escaping slaves, according to the “Pioneer and Genealogical History of Geauga County with Sketches of some of the Pioneers and Prominent Men, 1880.”
Harmon Gladding, the descendant that provided most of the information in this column, is descended from John and Mary’s son, Daniel Marcus, their 6th born child, 1819-1900. I will trace the family line from John Gladding to Harmon Gladding, six generations, because of space.
Daniel Marcus had a son, Henry Alison Gladding (1846-1933), who went to two colleges and became a judge, farmer of more than 300 acres, and President of the Christy School of Methods. The school was endowed with funds for a higher school of learning by the hermit, James Christy, of Windsor. The funds from the endowment still produce income through our county budget even today and used for educational purposes as it was originally intended.
Henry A. Gladding wrote the family sketch of Ashtabula County pioneers included in the large historical book, The Gladding Family and Genealogical Chart.” Henry A. lived in the home his father and mother and grandparents had lived. A pile of stone still marked the spot of the very first log building his grandparents had built in 1806. According to Harmon Gladding, the stones are no longer visible.
John Gladding would die in 1853 at age 71, and within nine days of his wife, Mary, age 70. Both are buried in the Windsor Township Cemetery.
Henry A. had a son, Maynard, who had a son, Gayle (1912- 2002). He was a poultry farmer in Windsor, on the farm settled by his great-great-grandparents in 1806.
Harmon and is wife live nearby the old homestead and help keep the family story alive and current. I am glad they enjoy history and reading this column and were willing to share their family story. Harmon sent the picture of the male family members in front of the restored old homestead showing the large, imprinted stone. Family member Kelton Slane, who recently passed away, took and provided pictures submitted by Harmon.
John Gladding’s actual signature has been cut into the rock with the heading “Gladd Tidings.” It also states, “John Gladding and wife, Mary Ritter, migrated to this lot in 1806 from Wethersfield, Connecticut. They were faithful pioneers. Their descendants have defined perseverance, integrity and community service.” Across the bottom are the words, “TO GOD BE THE GLORY.”

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