Later the territory north of the Ohio River and east of the Mississippi River was to be sold via land patents issued by the United States federal government, then know as the Confederate Congress.  This was accomplished via the passage of “The Land Ordinance of 1785”.  The U.S. government surveyed this new massive area and each of the smaller pieces, known as townships, were further sub-divided into 320-acre parcels called sections. These sections were sold to the public at the sum of $1.00 per acre.  Once sold the new owner was given a paper document proving payment and ownership, which was called a land, patent.  This land patent was typically hand-signed by the president of the
United States. On April 24^th, 1820 Mr. Samuel Sparrow bought a one-quarter section or eighty acres of which this home now sits upon.  Over time further land sales continued to various owners until these grounds finally came into the possession of Mr. David Harpster.  He, like so many immigrants to the Ohio Lands, came here from Pennsylvania.  He was accompanied by his mother and two brothers.

Our research indicates this home, a Greek Revival, was built ca. 1842 by David Harpster and his two brothers Jacob and John. David’s brothers also built homes, which still exist today and are within eye site across the fields to the northwest and northeast. Today, most all the original family members are buried in a cemetery three miles south of here and adjacent to the Seneca Caverns.

One of the interesting stories about the Harpsters is that the three brothers and one other local gentleman began a small in-home church service, which rotated in turn from one home to the next. Over scores of years it eventually became the Evangelical Church still located here in Bellevue.

Another piece of historical information is that this home was one of only a few to be depicted in the 1893 Sandusky County Atlas.  These renderings were of a type called steel engravings.  In the engraving you can see Mr. and Mrs. Harpster outdoors.  She is waving “good-bye” to a female friend of hers as the friend travels down the road aboard a horse-drawn carriage.  Mr. Harpster is seen walking back north to the big barn to attend to more chores.  It would appear they had all just finished eating lunch and catching up on the latest local news together.

In 2006 we began our quest to find a home for the two of us.  On a whim, we decided to come to Bellevue to see what later would become our home.  This home.  After walking through and around it we headed to our, then present, home in Norwalk. That evening and the following day we discussed what we had seen, heard and felt at the old brick farm house in Bellevue.  The more we talked the more we understood that ole’ place felt like home and then decided to…make an offer.  To our elation it was accepted.  Then the real work began!  We have modified it while attempting to keep the flavor of a period home with “conveniences”.

Someone before us had turned the second floor level into an apartment.  Not wanting to rent it out per say, we decided to create a unique living quarters for travelers.  Hence, today, you are seeing, feeling and hearing what we did upon our first walk-through.  That is namely the peace and serenity of a 168 year old farmhouse in a rural country setting in northern Ohio.

We hope you enjoy it!

Paul and Janell Davenport