William Holgate references "Vermilliers (sic) 11 miles from Fort Wayne...log establishment...six or seven different buildings" point to the former "Maryland Settlement" and one of its first residents, Jesse Vermilyea. The place was along the newly opened canal at the Aboite River in Aboite township, Allen county, Indiana. By stopping here, the Holgates were witnessing the last twenty days of relative isolation for the Maryland Settlement. Within three weeks, the first waters on the Wabash & Erie Canal would spill from Fort Wayne and rush to Huntington; a new era would dawn. The Holgates had an easy ride upon their horses; the canal tow path was ready. The roads in the area were difficult to maintain because of the surrounding swamp. There was still wilderness; Indians were numerous, wolves echoed their voices throughout the wet prairies and woodlands."

The arrival of a colony numbering about thirty persons, in the spring of 1833, quite suddenly broke the solitude of the region, which had not been disturbed by previous settlers. They cleared an area, built early style round log cabins, cut roads, and settled in. In July 1835, there were apparently only seven families here. The families of Enoch Turner, Richard Andrew, William Gouty, and Richard Clark, & Jesse Vermilyea. Lot S. Bayless and Benjamin Rogers settled here with their families in the spring of 1834. It was not until November 1835 that George Bullard arrived. Jesse Vermilyea lived in one of the seven log homes. His was a large double-log house where workers boarded during construction of the canal. Jesse had a small stock of goods from which he sold to the settlers and traded with Indians; it was not a store as such, just supplies which he kept on hand and sold. It was not until the Civil War that any other type of store was opened in the township.

Vermilyea is remembered as farmer, Indian trader, canal contractor, postmaster, pioneer plank road builder, and one of the original directors of the Fort Wayne Branch Bank, who later built the impressive Vermilyea house. Vermilyea invested heavily in land, purchased 1600 acres, consisting of seven different parcels. In the late 1830's and early 1840's, Jesse sold land to various Indians; to Chapine, land at Raccoon Village, to Shappen, land at the mouth of the Aboite River; to Mae-Shock-con-Wock- Qua, land opposite the mouth of the Aboite river.

The soil underlying the area of the settlement is excellent for brick making, and upon his farm in 1839, Vermilyea made bricks and built a new home. It was regarded as a veritable palace at the time, and still stands on Redding Road at the Aboite river.
The pictorial History of Fort Wayne. B.J. Griswold. 1917

I remember we stopped at the Vermilyea hotel for dinner. They changed horses there.
Huntington Herald, Jan. 3, 1896 "Grandmother Hawley rode in it 60 years ago."

On account of there being no places of entertainment, we were compelled to face the storm until nightfall, when we made Jesse Vermilyea's tavern. We found on arrival his double log house already pretty well filled, but we were cold and hungry, and he took us in. We found him to be a very clever, gentlemanly host.
History of Wabash County, 1884. p. 106

Ten miles below Fort Wayne, passed the residence of Mr. Vermilyea, a wealthy farmer. His dwelling house is a splendid one - a large two story brick building, painted white, and neatly finished, inside and out. As they tarried here a short time to change horses, we took a strol (sic) about the grounds. We found the garden, shrubbery, fruit trees &c finely arranged & in the best possible order. All of the inside wood work of the house is of black walnut, highly polished, and presents a very rich and beautiful appearance.

 There were three fine barns & other out buildings corresponding. Taking it all together, it was by far the most beautiful residence I had seen on the journey. Having obtained a drink of cold water, we returned to the boat, and proceeded on our journey.
Through Indiana by Stage Coach & Canal Boat Indiana Mag. of History. LXXXV, 1989

In the canal just below the house the channel widened out into a spacious basin in which the boats could be turned or docked for loading and unloading. Vermilyea built a warehouse there for the benefit of the entire neighborhood. Sometimes it was known down the line by "Ruffner's Basin" for after the days of Vermilyea the Ruffner's occupied the place some years. The basin was clearly outlined until the traction line was built, at which time it was filled.
Huntington Herald. Frank S. Bash article, 1930 Interview with Daniel W. Simmers