The Legend of "Uncle Tommy"

William Bragall Gilbert (Also known for some reason as "Uncle Tommy") was an original pioneer of Silver Creek Township, Cass County, Michigan. He was born in Long Island, New York, migrated to this area in 1838, had a major impact on the development of northwest Cass County, was a farmer, became a land speculator, and influenced the development of the resort communities in this area.

William married Cynthia Sammons around 1815. In the mid-1830s, he left his wife and children in the care of friends and made a “scouting expedition” out west. He traveled first to Michigan and spent time in Pokagon Township on land the government had gifted to him for his military service. He then headed for lands west of the great Mississippi River. However, his journey was cut short and he returned to the government gifted land where he decided the fertile soil, natural resources, and expansive wooded acreage was “his promised land.”

Soon, William made a brief trip to collect his family and their belongings and also convinced some New York neighbors to join him on his relocation to Michigan. They traveled through Ohio and Indiana, arriving in Pokagon Township in 1838. He built a log cabin there, while friends pursued their own plans for settlement. However, the more William learned about the surrounding area, the more intensely his interests shifted to Silver Creek Township. (The township was named after a slow-moving stream that “emanates from Magician Lake” in that township. Magician Lake was originally named Silver Lake because the colored marl at the bottom of the lake made a glint of silver from the sun.)

In 1839, William Gilbert, his wife Cynthia, and their children settled on the “banks of a lake, which was located in the 400 acres of land he had purchased from John Woolman and George Kimmel.” They built a log cabin on the lake shore, “Section 29 of Silver Creek Township.” The lake was originally named Woolman’s Lake but was later changed to Indian Lake because so many Indians maintained their numerous sugar camps there every spring when the sap rose in the Maple Trees. IN that same year, the first school was established on School Street, east of Indian Lake Road, which is a historic site today.

Uncle Tommy builds a castle

After William, Cynthia, and their children settled on the banks of Indian Lake, William got their farm in working order and set about growing enough crops to feed his family. He then began exploring the potential of the undeveloped land around him. His plan was to become a land speculator, buying tracks of acreage by paying the low prices the government used to lure settlers. His strategic plan was to hold the land until eager new settlers arrived and were ready to buy their own piece of property at his now inflated prices.

In 1840, William joined John Woolman to bid for a State of Michigan contract to build a four-mile stretch of road between Pokagon Township and the underdeveloped area, known as Silver Creek Township. The road became known as the Town Line Road.

By now, William, who for some reason became known as “Uncle Tommy,” had amassed a very significant financial reserve and began implementing his land speculation plans. Still living in their meager cabin on the shores of Indian Lake and practicing frugality at home, he poured all his financial resources into his focused purchase of Silver Creek land.

Cynthia made it known that the family needed more space and better accommodations, In other words, and it was time to put Uncle Tommy's success to good use or else he'd be sleeping on the couch. And with that, Uncle Tommy to work on a new home for his family. The interesting thing about Uncle Tommy was he never did things in a small way. William Bragall Gilbert decided he would build his wife the “biggest, fanciest house in the county.” He and Cynthia designed and sketched the first mansion plans themselves, which were based on homes they were impressed with back east. They then hired an architect to complete the plans.

There was a high bluff on the northeast side of Indian Lake where a dirt road below it, now known as Indian Lake Road, closely skirted the lake. The bluff was near their log cabin, and William and Cynthia would often walk the land. In 1850, when most people in Silver Creek Township were living in pioneer log cabins and simple farm houses, William built what a newspaper reporter later called ”Gilbert’s Castle,” and had the entire country abuzz, because (for that era) it was the grandest house in the county. Gilbert’s private cemetery is behind the house, as well as the foundation of an old Indian school and church.