Ella Sharp Park

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Purpose: This essay aims to show you the history of Ella Sharp and how the park became. Audience: People with a interest of the history in Jackson. As I pull into what is now known as Ella Sharp Park, I am surrounded by the sights and sounds of the outdoors. Nature surrounds me, the air is crisp and clean, I can hear children playing. My mind starts to wonder how did this place become, what was it like here before it was a community park. I decide to first take my option to drive. I begin my drive around the park passing the swimming pool, the soccer fields, woods, softball fields and then find myself at the museum entrance. Here is where the history begins to fill my mind. I park my car and walk towards the Entrance of Ella Sharp Museum. Before 1913 this was a farm where Ella Sharp was raised and lived. The home which is now part of the museum was the home of hilside farm. Here, papers, photos, and letters were found to tell the story of how this beautiful land became part of Jackson County Parks. It all began with Mary Wing, whom is Ella’s mother. Mary grew up in a wealthy family in New York. She was a educated women, which during this time was very uncommon. Mary married in 1842, shortly after being married to Thomas Farnsworth she had 3 children all whom eventually passed away from illnesses. Her husband Thomas had also passed away. After the lose of her children and Husband Mary decided to come to Michigan to visit. Her father had made a suggestion to look into some farmland in Jackson County. Mary's father (Mr. Wing) joined her and purchased to adjoining parcels in Summit township. During this deal Mary and Mr. Wing dealt with Dwight Merriman. He was a New York native as well and was selling property for his cousin. Shortly after the purchase Mr. Merriman started a relationship with Mary. In 1855 Mary moved

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