Hillsdale County Townships

While trappers and traders flourished in the freewheeling wilds, the coming of settlers inevitably brought an attempt to organize and structure society.  Originally there were fewer - and therefore larger - townships.  As the population grew, so did the number of townships.  This led to some confusion.  For instance, Hillsdale Township did not exist until the 1858.  If someone was recorded as living in Fayette Township in 1850  and in Hillsdale Township in 1860, it could very well be that they never moved from their home.  Instead, the township boundaries changed around them.