Our Historical Put In Bay Ohio Connection

Hyde Family History

I've been interested in finding out the history of the farmhouse. Research lead me looking into the original owners of the house. As I've mentioned before the farmhouse was built in 1900. According to US census data, Ancestory.com and the book, Lake Erie Islands Sketches and Stories by Michael Gora, I've discovered the following.

First occupants of the home ca 1900:
John & Lucy Hyde moved here in the year 1900.  They lived in the house with four of their 6 children. Ida, Ovid, Clara and Allen.

John was born here in Port Clinton, Ohio and lived his entire life in the area as a farmer. John's parents were Edward & Mary (Lattimore) Hyde. Edward was born on Put In Bay (South Bass Island) in 1821. He too was a farmer and lived his entire life in this area.

Benson Lossing - The Pictorial Field Book of the War of 1812

Next is where it get's very interesting. John's grandparents were Henry & Sally (Hill) Hyde. They lived on Put In Bay five years after the War of 1812. They lived on the island for 18 years from 1818-1830. They were the first caretakers of Put In Bay. They arrived with 500 sheep, and they ran a rooming house and trading post called the Hill's House. (named after Sally) The house was believed to have been on the site of the modern business now known as the Beer Barrel.

The 53 Farmhouse Today ca 2016,
Home of John & Lucy Hyde ca 1900
Port Clinton, Bay Township, Ottawa County, Ohio

What an amazing connection this old farmhouse has with this area's major attraction, Put In Bay! As you may recall the War of 1812 was fought right here north of Put In Bay and Lake Erie. At the time of the war the island had been abandoned by a few squatters and people sent there to start farming the land. It wasn't until 1818 when Henry and Sally arrived as caretakers of the island for AP Edwards that land was cleared and more livable dwellings and businesses were built.

My next research will lead me forward and hopefully I'll find more exciting information about The 53 Farmhouse.