Memories of May Francis Heath- a series

Granddaughter of the Man Who Named Saugatuck

May Heath with grandfather S. A. Morrison (1815-1905),

mother Julia Francis (1846-1924) and DAUGHTER GLADYS

It was natural for May Francis Heath to become Saugatuck's first historian. Her grandparents, Stephen A. and Mary Peckham Morrison, were among the first settlers and a "living history" of the town. Morrison had been born in Vermont in 1815 and trained as a tanner. When he arrived in the 1830s there were only 4 other white families in the whole of Saugatuck Township and there were no roads or other marks of civilization.

Morrison bought out the Johonnett and Crosby tanning interests, built a frame house near the tannery, and lived in Saugatuck for the next 60 of his 90 years. In his 1907 History of Allegan County, Michigan, Dr. Henry F. Thomas writes: "During the latter thirties, Singapore overshadowed Saugatuck as a commercial center. At one time it was said that the place was almost abandoned of all inhabitants except S. A. Morrison and family." He was a great friend of Saugatuck founder William G. Butler (1799-1857) and when the Butler monument was installed in Riverside cemetery in 1892, Morrison hosted Butler's son who came from St. Louis for the dedication.

Morrison held the office of County Treasurer and was Supervisor for more than twenty. President Martin Van Buren appointed him the third postmaster of the village in 1842 and he held that position until President Grant's administration. When the village Post Office was first established it was he who suggested that they call it "Saugatuck", an Indian word meaning "mouth of river".

Morrison built a new tannery building on the river bank between Butler and Griffith streets. He conducted an extensive and successful business for sixty years, retiring about 1892, and was active in community affairs until his final days. His residence, built in 1857, was on the north east corner of Bulter and Culver, directly across the street from the town hall. It burned down in 1978.

Stephen married the Singapore schoolteacher, Mary Elizabeth Peckham, in 1842. It was she who told stories to May when she was very young about the experiences she had as a pioneer, with few around except Indians. She may have actually set the seed for May's interest in Saugatuck history.

May was a young mother in her early 30s when her grandfather died, and her interest in his stories of the early days was evident. She inherited his many papers, diaries, and photo albums, as well as his dedication to the town of Saugatuck.

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Sept. of 2011 will mark the golden anniversary of the death of Saugatuck historian May Francis Heath (MFH). A Memorial Committee of the Saugatuck-Douglas Historical Society will be preparing a series of articles about her life and times in Saugatuck. A public memorial will also be purchased. Anyone willing to contribute is invited to contact Chris Yoder, cyoder@tds.net , 857-4327 or Marsha Kontio, (616) 566-1239.  

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