Like many of us, Dale Bond of Independence Township was curious about his family history. So he turned looked to genealogy for some answers. That intrigue has bloomed into a nearly full-time adventure as Bond continues to trace his family, as well as people and events important to Clarkston’s early history.
‘I got into my own family history. I’m fascinated by it. I did research on my house and land. A log cabin used to be here. Then I got into what happened in this area and what it looked like prior to the Civil War,? Bond said.
Bond claims he traced his family back to Maryland in the 1660’s gearing up for the Revolutionary War. On a search following his ancestors? paths to many states from Maryland to California, Bond is no longer surprised at what he finds.
‘Once you get on to something, you just have to find out about it. While you’re researching, you get a history lesson. I love history and telling it to people. History gives people something that has meaning,? said Bond.
Bond started searching in the Independence Township Library, the Oakland County Pioneer and Historical Society, the Moses Wisner House, and thePontiac Courthouse by looking through tax, court and census records.
On his walk through Clarkston’s past, Bond came across an prime example of how his research and enthusiasm snowballed since starting in 2000.
A murder case involving early Clarkston resident Patrick Tully, in December of 1857, caught Bond’s attention. Tully, a prominent and well respected figure in the area, was found dead and three of his sons were charged with his murder.
‘The names are what’s interesting because you’re bringing in all your old settlers of the area, the first settlers who walked here,? Bond said.
Bond found himself fascinated by events before and after the founding of Clarkston. A retired draftsmen, Bond used his knowledge of map layout to illustrate his own researched version of 1860 Clarkston.
Using an 1872 map as a model, Bond blew up the outline for basic roads and blocks. Then, going block to block, Bond filled in nearly every lot with his research. Relying on census and tax records and land deeds, Bond gradually recreated town blocks on 8 by 11.5 sheets of paper, until he created a full map.
Compiled in several binders, Bond’s work represents stories he hopes will live on for future generations.