Wayne County, Michigan


In 1778, Virginia submitted all of the Northwest Territory in to a county, called Illinois. The measurements included all of Michigan, all of Ohio, all of Indiana, all of Illinois, all of Wisconsin, and the Northwestern portion of Minnesota. A total of approximately 1 and a half million acres. In 1796 Secretary of the Territory, Winthrop Sargent purposed a second county to be named Wayne County, splitting this large area. His original proposal included all of Michigan, the upper portions of Ohio and Indiana, and the western most and northern most portions of Wisconsin. He further claimed to then Governor St. Clair, that he had consulted the citizens as to the name to be used for the county, and they agreed upon Wayne County, named for, General Anthony Wayne.
By law of May 7, 1800, the exact territory of Wayne County was proclaimed as the Eastern half of Michigan, down the center line, and the upper portion of Ohio. This cut Sargent's proposal by about 60%, however, by an Act of Law May 10, 1800, just having been passed, Indiana had become it's own Territory. For the next 22 years Wayne County boundaries have been moved in closer and closer. Establishment of the current county lines were made by Governor Cass, on September 10, 1822. That same day, Washtenaw County was laid out, and organized by November 20, 1826. Macomb County was platted as the southern boundary line of Wayne County on January 15, 1818.

Wayne County Townships
By law of the Northwest Territory made November 6, 1790, the Court of Quarter Sessions authorized each county be divided into townships. Accordingly, as early as November 1, 1798, four townships were created in Wayne County; Detroit, Mackinaw, Sargent, and Hamtramck. In 1802, or possibly earlier, the township of St Clair was organized. By June 1805, Detroit had been extended as far as the Huron River and included Grosse Isle. On January 5, 1818, Governor Cass established the townships of Springwells, Monguago, Huron, and St. Clair. It wasn't until 1826, that the entire current Wayne County, was all divided into townships.
Establishments of boundary and township names are as follows:
1827 - Detroit, Springwells, Hamtramck, Monguagon, Brownstown, Plymouth, Ecorse, Huron, and Bucklin.
1829 - Nankin and Pekin were made out of portions of Bucklin, and a portion made into Dearborn.
1833 - Greenfield and Springwells.
1834 - Canton, made out of a portion of Plymouth.
1835 - Livonia is created out of Nankin and a portion of Bucklin. Romulus is formed out of a portion of Huron. Van Buren is formed out of a portion of Huron.
1840 - Sumpter is organized.
1842 - part of Brownstown is attached to Monguagon.
1847 - Taylor is created out of a portion of Ecorse
1848 - Grosse Pointe is established out of a part of Hamtramck.
1850 - Greenfield is enlarged by taking a portion out of Springwells township.
1832 & 1836 - Detroit is enlarged.
1857 & 1875 - Detroit is enlarged again, to its current city limits.

To cover exact name and placement of the cities of Wayne County today this the layout:
Plymouth = the Township of Plymouth, the City of Northville from county line Washtenaw County on the west, Oakland County at 8 Mile Road to the North.
Livonia = the City of Livonia bordered on the west by Plymouth & Northville Townships and on the east by Redford.
Redford = all of the Township of Redford bordered on the west by Livonia and on the east by 'Greenfield Township'.
Greenfield = no longer exists and is currently the City of Highland Park.
Grosse Pointe = City of Grosse Pointe and also cities of Grosse Pointe Woods, Grosse Pointe Shores, Grosse Pointe Park, Grosse Pointe Farms.
Hamtramck = City of Hamtramck and also encloses the city of Harper Woods.
Canton = City of Canton (though much smaller in area)
Nankin = no longer exists, but is now the cities of Garden City, Westland, Wayne, Inkster, Dearborn Heights
Dearborn = is still City of Dearborn (however, much smaller in area)
Springwells = no longer exists, and is now part of Detroit and City of Melvindale.
Detroit = City of Detroit
Van Buren = City of Van Buren and borders Washtanaw County on the west.
Romulus = The City of Romulus (including Detroit-Metro Airport)
Taylor = The City of Taylor and the City of Allen Park.
Ecorse = The City of Ecorse and also cities of River Rouge, Lincoln Park, Wyandotte, Southgate.
Sumpter = no longer exists, it is currently the cities of Belleville, New Boston, and Waltz.
Brownstown = City of Brownstown and also includes the cities of Flat Rock, Woodhaven, and Rockwood.
Monguagon = no longer exists and is currently the location of the cities of Gibraltar, Trenton, Riverview and Grosse Isle.

How Townships got their names
Hamtramck: named in honor of Colonel John F. Hamtramck, first United States Commander of Detroit.
Springwells: refers to the numerous springs in the area. Early settlers called this same area, "Belle-Fontaine.
Brownstown: is named for Adam Brown, an Englishman, who was captured by Wyandott Indians (about 1764) and became one of their principal chiefs.
Monguagon: is named for a Potowatamie Indian cheif, who lived in Detroit around 1755.
Plymouth: is probably named in honor of the first American settlement at Plymouth Rock.
Ecorse: is named for the River Ecorce which flows through the township. It was named by the French and Native Americans because of the birch and other barks on the trees along it's banks.
Huron: is named for an old Native American tribe, of this area.
Bucklin: named for William Bucklin, a Justice of the Peace, and first white settler in the township.(see Redford Pioneers
Nankin, Pekin, and Canton: apparently named for cities in China, where in 1829, the year the first American missionary started for China.
Redford: probably named for the fording of the river Rouge, which means Red. See Redford Pioneers
Dearborn: named in honor of General Henry Dearborn, of the United States Army.
Greenfield: suggestive of the many productive and beautiful green fields which use to lie here.
Livonia: probably named for one of the Western Russian Provinces.
Romulus: apparently named of the founder and King of ancient Rome.
Van Buren: named after the 8th President of the United States, Martin Van Buren, nominated the same year this township was created.
Sumpter: commemorates the name of Revolutionary patriot General Thomas Sumter.
Grosse Pointe so named for its size and projection into Lake St. Clair.
Taylor: named in honor of General Zachary Taylor, the 12th President of the United States and hero of the Mexican War.

Marriages in Wayne County, Michigan
Long before the French came and settled, young lovers whispered vows amongst the trees and flowers of this land.
However, after Cadillacarrived, he reported in a letter that, "Indian women preferred a Frenchman, of any sort, to a savage.". It was believed a Frenchman treated their Native American wives with much more attention then they usually recieved from thier own male counterparts. Whether this is of true fact or not, is not known. Surely, some were more attentive and some where not, regardless Cadillac encouraged these marriages as a means of protection to their settlement, and the "mixed breed" off-spring soon formed a larger percent of the population in the settlement.
French Rule
No one was allowed to marry without permission, under French rule. Even Tonty himself was obilged to produce a marriage permit so he may marry in 1717. Regarding soldiers, no one was allowed to marry who could not show proof of the ability to support a family. The notary was a man of importance for these occasions, he was to draw up the marriage contract, specify the exact dowry of the bride, and name all who attended the wedding service.
English Rule
Under English rule, marriages were performed by the minister or Justice of the Peace. Young French women, still located within the settlements were often sought to marry. One wedding, between Dr G.C. Anthon and Miss Jadot records the bride holding a doll in her arms. Under Laws of the Northwest Territory, males of 17 years and females of 14 years could be married, however, any male under 21 or any female under 18, did have to provide consent from parents or guardians. The marriage bans were required to be published for at least 15 days before the ceremony, either from the church pulpit on Sundays, by a notice posted in a public place by a justice, or a license had to be obtained. By Territory law of August 2, 1805, a justice was given authority to marry person where one of the parties had lived in the district; both parties were then required to be over 21 years of age, or written concent from parents or guardian.
Michigan By October 31, 1820, a 15 day notice of intention to marry was required to be posted publicly, or a declaration by a minister had to be made at least two times before the ceremony; or a license obtained from the clerk of the county court. Males were to be age 18, and females age 14, however any male under 21 years and any female under 18 years needed parental or guardian consent. Revised in 1846, to fixed ages of 18 years for a male, and 16 years for females. A law May 31, 1887, required a marriage license to be obtained from the county clerk, including proof of age, and completion of sections: full name, race, bride's maiden name, place of residence, and place of birth. This license was delivered to the person performing the ceremony and had to be returned to the county clerk with the certificate of marriage, names of witnesses, and signatures.
These records are held at:
Wayne County Bldg
201 City County Building
Detroit, MI 48201
Detroit only: (313) 876-4133
All rest of Wayne County: (313)224-5514

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