History of Medina County by Baskin and Battery p. 640
The farmers had congregated to help raise a barn on a farm which is occupied by David Sheldon. Among the number was Lyman Isbell. The work progressed finely until it came to lifting up the upper rafters. A heavy log, forty feet in length, was in progress of being pushed on the building. Through want of necessary precaution, one end of the log slipped the pikes used for pushing, and the log rolled down with great force upon the body of Lyman Isbell, crushing his skull and killing him almost instantly. It caused great consternation among the people, but nothing could be done for the injured man. He was placed upon a sled and conveyed to his home, where his sudden and calamitous death brought grief and desolation. A messenger was sent to the Rev. Henry Hudson, who resided in Bath, to come and preach the funeral sermon on the next day. The messenger returned with the minister the next day, and the obsequies took place late in the afternoon. The fatal event cast a gloom over the colony for several days, as Mr. Isbell had been a man highly respected by all.
Lee Ann Shade