Potter Biographies
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History & Directory of Yates Co., Vol II, Pub 1873, by Stafford C. Cleveland
Information listed below in ( ) are NOT sourced from this book, but from other sources, such as census information.
Almon SAVAGE was born in Orange Co, in 1797, and came to this county with his parents in 1797. He married Sarah, daughter of Joseph SOUTHERLAND. They settled on a farm very early known as the James SOUTHERLAND farm, and died there. Their children were, John B., Elizabeth, Theda, James, Lois J. and David. John B. born in 1822, married Naomi WHEELER of Middlesex, and lives on the homestead, on lot 8, sixth range. Their children are Emmet B., Edgar S. and Eleanor T.
Elizabeth married John SHERWOOD of Pultney, and emigrated to Van Buren, Indiana.
Theda married J. B. REYNOLDs of Middlesex, and they live on South Hill in that town. Their children are Minor E., Lewis B., William B., Joseph F. and Almond D.
James married Sarah E. REYNOLDs of Middlesex, and resides in Hornellsville. Their children are: William H., and Sarah L.
Lois J., and David A. are single.
Col. Gilbert SHERER was born at Willington, North Carolina in 1790. His father, John SHERER of New York, followed a seafaring life as a coaster and died at Newark, NJ in 1807. The wife of John SHERER, was Elizabeth FISHER. She died of yellow fever at Philadelphia in 1801, leaving two children, Margaret and Gilbert. Margaret married Thomas SHARP of Philadelphia and had five children, Elizabeth, Caroline, Anna M., Rebecca and Mary. She died in 1846.
Gilbert was left with his father’s sister, Mary, who married William DUNCAN and emigrated to Mount Pleasant, PA. At that place in 1807, Gilbert was adopted into the family of Capt. Reuben CARR. In 1815 Capt. CARR emigrated to Middlessex, now Potter, the boy Gilbert driving the ox team, with which the family traveled and consumed eleven days in a journey of 160 miles. They located about one mile north of Potter Center, on the premises of Joshua PARSONS and there erected a log cabin and opened a home in the woods. Gilbert attended school a month or two during the winters at Nettle Valley, but became particularly accomplished as an ax-man, and had few equals as a chopper. He would frequently chip five and seven cords of wood in a day for William’s ashery and distillery, to which it was hauled a mile and a half and sold at seventy five cents a cord. After becoming of age, he labored in the construction of the Erie Canal, working first for seven dollars a month and after becoming a foreman for thirteen. Before the canal was completed he became what was known as a Durham Boatman, on the Mohawk and Seneca rivers, and after the canal was finished, he ran a boat on it several years.
He married first, Zamy, daughter of Enoch BORDWELL, and settled on the old CARR farm, which he owned several years. His first wife died in 1865, and he subsequently married Minerva, her sister, who also died in 1869. In 1870 he married a third wife, Louisa DE VOE of Penn Yan. He resided many years in Milo on the premises since owned by Samuel J. POTTER, was elected to the Assembly in 1860 and appointed postmaster at Penn Yan in 1861, which office he held for four years. In February 1868, he had a fall by which his hip was broken and while confined to his bed, received information that his aged aunt who had cared for him in infancy had recently died from a similar accident at the age of 91 years, a widow at Birmingham, Mich. Col Gilbert SHERER was a Colonel of the old 103rd Regiment of infantry. He has been many years a member of the Baptist church.
Reuben CARR was born in Rhode Island in 1799. His father, Caleb CARR, also came to Middlesex sometime after his son. He was the father of 22 children. Reuben married Lydia TURNER of Mt. Pleasant, PA, who died there leaving three children, one of whom, Lydia, married Stoddard BORDWELL, father of Dr. R.R.C. BORDWELL of Penn Yan. His second wife was Sarah LAKIN of Hancock, NY. They resided in Middlesex until 1831, when they emigrated to Freehold, Warren Co., PA. She died there in 1842, leaving a large family. He married a third wife, Lydia TRASKER, who survives him. He died in 1869.
Jacob SHUMAN was born in Germany, and came to this country as a Hessian soldier during the Revolution. He was taken a prisoner and did not return to his native country. He lived a tailor several years in Pennsylvania, and in company with Daniel FISHER, settled in this town in 1794. He bought three lots at fifty cents an acre. SHUMAN sold to FISHER, and FISTHER to Philip DINTURFF, (134 acres for $168). SHUMAN married a widow with two children living near Geneva. She died a few years later, and hers was the third burial In the SHUMAN burying ground. Mrs. Nicholas HEISLER being the first and one STRYKER the second. Of his wife’s daughters, one married Nathaniel BROCK, the other Henry SMITH. SHUMAN gave the first, one acre of land and the other 34 acres and his personal property. The rest of his land (236 acres) he willed to the Episcopal churches of Canandaigua and Geneva, each one half.
He died in 1828. After the death of his wife, he lived many years alone, and his house was a great resort for the settlers, to eat apples and drink cider, and for sleigh riding parties of the young. As a cultivator of excellent fruit, and a jovial story teller, he afforded great enjoyment to his visitors. In the fall of 1819, he was robbed and left in his house, apparently dead. Reviving, he blew a horn, which around a “Husking Bee” in progress at Philip DINTURFF’S. The robbers were closely pursued and captured near the old Glass Factory on Seneca Lake. The were convicted and sent to State Prison.
The present highway from Bethel to Canandaigua, was long known as “Shuman’s Path”, from having been the route he followed through the woods to that place for many years to attend meetings and transact business.
In those days, Flint Creek was full of beaver dams; but few of the beavers remained. Two were captured by Henry VAN WORMER.
One of the most useful and noted pioneers of Potter, was Deacon David SOUTHERLAND. During the Revolution, hew as a Commissary’s clerk. He married Lucretia SMITH of Cornwall in Orange Co. With her and two children, he came to this county in 1792, leaving four children among their friends. They bought a farm on lot 8, of the second range. The deed was given to Benjamin TIBBITS and Sylvia, his wife, and witnessed by Michael PIERCE and Chester ADAMS. The wife of Chester ADAMS was a sister of Deacon SOUTHERLAND. They moved with an ox team and sled and from Geneva he cut much of his own pathway with his ax. A log cabin covered with bark gave them shelter, enough ground was cleared for a slight summer crop, and some wheat was sowed in the fall. When this was done, the Deacon left his wife and two children in the midst of the wilderness, and started with his oxen and sled to bring home the other children. The journey was slow and tedious and much prolonged by enforced waiting for the little ones to be ready to move owing to their vaccination on account of the prevalence of small pox in the vicinity. Finally in the midst of winter they took their way to the far off wild; the little ones of which the oldest was only 8 years of age, seated with their feet pointing together in the sled, and a little dog cuddling with them to add to their warmth, while a canopy of cloth stretched over hoops, kept off the outer storms. In this way they moved through deep snows, stopping sometimes at Indian wigwams and sometimes at the rude cabins of pioneers. At length, after an absence of three months, they reached their forest home, where not a word had been heard of them in all that time, for mails and post offices were then unheard of in this wild region.
During all of that long winter, his wife remained alone in her wilderness home, with the two children, one a boy of 10 years, and the other a baby, sick nearly the whole of the time. Their nearest neighbor was ¾ of a mile east, William HALL and the next, one and one half miles southeast, Francis BRIGGS, and often was she compelled to spent the watches of the night over a meaning babe, while her ears were greeted and her spirit chilled by the unearthly howl of the prowling wolf without.
Deacon SOUTHERLAND was a man of perseverance and energy, not a mechanic by profession or apprenticeship, yet he could “turn his hand” at almost anything that circumstances required. In those days the flax crop was all important as a source of clothing, for the wolves interdicted sheep, and cotton cost money. The Deacon’s crop, having failed one season, he was greatly concerned as to how he should clothe his family, when the following circumstances occurred to supply the necessity:
He was on his way to Hopeton on foot, a distance of about 12 miles, to perform a day’s work with his carpenters tools on his back, and just before reaching that then town of note, he met Abel HUNT who was known as Friend HUNT. They were neighbors in those days, though 10 miles or more apart, and had a most cordial greeting. Both were religious men and expressed their gratitude each to the other for the many favors and blessings bestowed by Providence, in providing for their comforts and necessities; “yet”, says Friend HUNT, “neighbor SOUTHERLAND, I am greatly afflicted inasmuch as I have broken down my wagon wheel and know no way to restore it. Can thee tell me how I am to repair my loss?” The Deacon replied, “Well, Friend HUNT, I hardly know what I can do for you; but as I am something of a tinker in various ways, possibly I may be able to restore thy wheel to a useable condition and if you desire, I will try.” Friend HUNT responded with great delight, “Oh, if thou wilt do so, I shall divide with thee liberally anything that I have in payment, money I have not.” “Have you flax?”, asked the Deacon. “Yes, a fine crop”, replied Friend HUNT. The Deacon applied himself to the repair of the wheel and soon succeeded in putting it in running order, and Friend HUNT gave him 20 pounds of flax for the job. Each went on his way, rejoicing. Some years later when the Deacon had acquired a flock of 24 sheep, one night in his absence the children failed to secure them in their pen near the house, and they were all but one, destroyed by wolves. Again one of the boys was driving the sheep homeward for yarding late in the afternoon, after a summer’s day range in the “chopping,” when he spied a bird’s nest in a tree, and boy-like, climbed the tree to possess himself of the treasure. While thus engaged, an old mother wolf sprang from the thicket and killed one of his sheep.
By his aptitude for business and public affairs, David SOUTHERLAND became at once a leading and influential citizen. He was for many years supervisor of the town. During four successive terms he was a member of Assembly form Old Ontario, beginning in 1821. In 1821 he was a member of the famous constitutional convention of that year. He was Jeffersonian in politics, and had a strong hold on the esteem of his constituents. He was in religious faith, a Baptist, and a strong pillar of the Society, which had its early nucleus at Benton Center. He also improved his gifts as a preacher, and very often declared that faith that was in him, in the surrounding neighborhoods, at schoolhouses and private residences, as well as other places of worship. He and his brave wife lived to see the forest disappear and their children settled in prosperity around them, also to enjoy an honored old age. Their children were: Joseph, Andrew, Sarah, Elizabeth, Alexander, Susanna, James and Patrick. The youngest died at 16 years. Joseph married Hannah BASSETT, originally from Boston. They settled in the town of Seneca, where he died at 31, leaving three children, James, Sally and Amy. The widow married a second husband, on Daniel SOUTHERLAND, and died on the premises where she first settled and where her son James still resides.
Andrew marred Dolly THOMPSON of Seneca, in which town they settled, finally emigrating to Ray, Mich., where he died leaving several children, Lucretia, David, Robert, Elizabeth, Emily, Joseph, Moses and Andrew.
Sarah married Benjamin HERSHEY. They settled in Seneca where she died in 1812, leaving three daughters, Betsey, Susan and Mary.
Elizabeth married Peleg BATES. Both died in Potter leaving three daughters; Susan married David RECTOR, Hannah married James HALL, now occupying the homestead, and Mercy married Richard BRIGGS.
Alexander, born in 1789, married Maria VAN DUSER of Gorham, in 1809. She was born in 1790 in Cornwall, Orange Co. They settled on the old homestead, where he died in 1836. He was a leading and prominent citizen. His widow still survives. Their children were Betsey, John, Margaret, Lucretia, Harriet, Jane, Maria and David A. Betsey married Mark WEARE, who died in 1844.
John SOUTHERLAND born in 1813, married first, Almira BATES of Potter, in 1836. They settled near the old homestead where she died in 1850, leaving two children, Jane and Eliza. He married a second wife, Martha F., daughter of Peter FERGUSON of Seneca. He is a substantial farmer and highly esteemed citizen, residing on the old homestead of David SOUTHERLAND. His daughter Jane, married Warner P. COLE of Potter, and Eliza married John N. CLARK of Benton.
Margaret, born in 1816, married Joseph T. SLAUGHTER, of Penn Yan. Their children are: Alexander F., Harriet and Arthur M.
Lucretia born in 1820, married Peleg THOMAS.
Harriet, born in 1824, married Cyrus C. CRANE. They moved to Addison, NY, where she died leaving two children, Cyrus S., and Frank.
Jane married Benjamin HOBART of Potter. They settled in Italy where she died in 1851, leaving one son, Byron F. Her husband died on his way to California one or two years later. Byron F. married the only daughter of James C. LONGWELL and is a banker at Oswego, Kansas.
Maria born in 1829, married John Wesley PAYNE of Potter. They have since resided at Watkins. Their children are Emmett, Edgar, William W. and John M. and Alexander (twins).
David A., born in 1831, married Charlotte COLE of Potter. They reside at Reed’s Corners in Gorham and have one child, Charlotte.
Susan, daughter of David SOUTHERLAND, married Nathaniel THOMPSON of Seneca. They emigrated to Ray, Mich., in 1824, where she resides a widow. Their children were Joel, Thompson and Milton.
James married Theda PROUTY of Benton. They settled on a part of the old homestead where he died in 1836, leaving six children, Almira, Milton G., Hester A., Caroline, Jerome and Lucretia E. Almira was the first wife of George R. BARDEN of Benton. Milton D. married Matilda CLARK of Seneca. They live in that town and have three children, Albert, Elizabeth and Clark. Hester A. married Zerah SWARTHOUT of Torrey. Their children are Irene and James. Caroline married Homer MARINER of Benton. Their surviving children are Eva and Jay.
Jerome P. married Catharine CLARK of Benton and resides in Gorham. Lucretia E. married Samuel REED of Seneca. Their children are Byron, Frank and Bell.
John and David STEBBINS, brothers, emigrated from Deerfield, Mass., to what is now Potter, in 1814. David and his wife, Irena, and seven children, emigrated at a later day to Chautauqua Co., where the parents died. Five of their children married in Potter.
John STEBBINS and Sally, his wife, had seven or eight children, most of whom married in Potter. They were Orrin, George, Horace and Hollis (twins), Emily, Amanda and Mahala. The family of Orrin alone remains in Yates county.
Orrin STEBBINS born in Massachusetts married Sally BASOM and settled on the homestead of his father. In 1853 they moved to Middlesex, where he died in 1866, at the age of 66 years. His widow survives. He was one of the founders of the Free Will Baptist Church of Potter, and one of its staunch supporters. They have 10 surviving children, Nancy, Olive, Emily, Amanda, James, Mary, Susan, William, Samuel and Matilda.
Nancy married William A. DINEHART. They reside in Middlesex and their children are John, Adams and Emma, all of whom are married and residents of Middlesex. John married Jane RACKHAM. Their children are Mary and one other. Adams married Lillias HADSELL of Middlesex. Their children are Willie and an infant. Emma married John STORRS.
Olive married Henry SOLES of Potter. They reside at Clarendon, Orleans, Co. NY. Their children are Orrin, James, Sarah, William, Alors and Catharine.
Emily married George MARTIN, a son of Garret MARTIN of Jerusalem. They reside on his paternal homestead. Their children are Clark, Charles and Orrin.
Amanda is the wife of Charles W. ALMY of Jerusalem.
James married Wealthy, daughter of Truman REED of Italy. He is a prosperous farmer of Middlesex, and has been twice Supervisor of that town. Their children are Edith, Henry and Emmett. Edith married Henry B. WHITMAN of Middlesex.
Mary married Chauncey HAWLEY, son of Ira HAWLEY of Middlesex. Their children are Adell and Levere.
Susan married Morey EASTON of Middlesex. They reside near Grass Lake, Michigan and have four children.
William married Olive, daughter of Othniel EMORY of Middlesex. Their children are Mary, B. and Laura E.
Samuel married Emma, daughter of Dudley ALLEN. They reside on his paternal homestead in Middlesex.
Matilda married Forest EMORY of Middlesex. Their children are Carrie and Eugene.
Emily, sister of Orrin STEBBINS married one LUKORE. Amanda, another sister, married a Mr. DEAN, and Mahala, the third sister, was the wife of Enoch W. BORDWELL.
STROBRIDGE pg 849 – 850
Sanford STROBRIDGE was born in Clermont, New Hampshire in 1791 and died in Potter in 1870. His father settled in Cncinnatus, Cortland Co., in 1794. He was a wheelwright and his son Sanford imbibed much of the mechanical tastes of his father. In 1818 he married Althea DEAN, who was born in 1800, in Massachusetts. In 1821 they located in Phelps, returned soon after to Cortland Co. and in 1826 settled about one mile north of Potter Center. He here pursued the avocation of wheelwright, and also that of chair maker. He found abundant employment, as the spinning wheel was the piano of those days, but they grew richer in children than in worldly gear. Yet the affectionate regard of their offspring was a better wealth than mere temporal possessions. Since 1838 they have resided at Potter Center, and owned the grist mill near that place sometime known as the “Gully Mill”, and he has served as miller. He is a man of worth whose precept and example are never at variance and he and his wife are both regarded as model exemplars of Christian Faith. They have had twelve children, of whom eleven became adults, Maria, Susan, Sanford D., Lyman H., Samuel G., Orvillle F., Jane E., George W., Charles H., James M. and William M.
Maria married Gardner JOHNSON of Potter. They emigrated to Three Rivers, Mich., where she died leaving two children, Ellen M. and James M. Ellen M. married John HAIRE of Jerusalem. They reside in Michigan.
Susan married Thomas MC DANIEL of Potter. They emigrated to Brookfield, Mich., where she died.
Sanford D. married Caroline, daughter of George WELLS and is a citizen of Potter.
Lyman H. married Emeline BAKER of Prattsburg. They reside in Naples. He planted the first vineyard in Potter. They have two children, Frederick and Franklin.
Samuel G., married Laura, daughter of Josiah REED of Potter. They reside in Potter and have two children, Hattie and Morris R.
Orville F. went in 1849 to California and is single.
Jane married William WATERS of Cayuga Co. He keeps a hotel in Sacramento, California. Their children are Elizabeth and Alice.
George W. is single, and a wagon maker at Potter Center.
Charles H. is single and a schoolteacher.
James M. is single and a miller residing on the homestead.
William M. was a solider of Co. A., 126th NYV and was a brave and faithful man. After fighting at Gettysburg, he was killed in 1864 at Hatches’ Run by the concussion of a cannon shot, which did not strike him, but carried off the head of a companion.
Abiel THOMAS was a native of Rhode Island, born in 1773. He died in Potter in 1851. In 1795 he married Lois RANDALL at Petersburg, Rensselaer Co., NY. She was born at Berlin, Rensselaer Co. in 1778 and died in 1846. In 1801 they settled on lot 9 of the third farm range, in Potter, and there remained through life. Their children were: Ashley, Vertie, Ambrose, Jeffrey, Lucy R., Peleg, Eleanor, Mary, Lois, and Janette. Ashley born in 1796, married Electa STRICKLAND, and settled one mile north of Potter Center, where she died. He died in Potter in 1862. They had nine children: Maria, Dewitt C., Albert, Abiel, Jeffrey, Lucy, Silas, Ashley and John C.
Vertie, born in 1798, was the wife of Edmund PERRY. Their surviving children are Olive H., Peleg R., Sarah and Louisa, now residing in Kent Co., Michigan.
Ambrose S. THOMAS, born in 1804, married Jane MC PHERSON of the town of Seneca in 1830. She was born in 1810 and died in 1866. He died of paralysis in 1870. He was a prominent citizen of Potter, and active Democratic politician and held the office of supervisor, and other positions in the town and county. He was also a land surveyor, and a man very widely known. Their children were: James G., Margaret M., Berdethe E., Jeffrey W., Mary J. and Loe R. James G. is a merchant at Geneva. Margaret M. married Zerah F. SUMMERS and resides at Crown Point, Indiana. Berdethe E., married George G. FOSTER of Crown Point, IA. Jeffrey W. married Sarah, daughter of Henry HUSTED and resides in Potter. Mary J. married Dr. J. B. VOAK and resides at Canandaigua.
Jeffrey R., born in 1806, died at 20 years, and Lucy R., born in 1808, died in 1827.
Peleg THOMAS, born in 1810, married Lucretia SOUTHERLAND in 1828. They now reside at Rushville. Their children are: Louisa, John, Helen and Charles. Louisa married Jacob DINTURFF Jr. John married Ella FERGUSON. Helen married Allen LOOMIS Jr.
Eleanor THOMAS born in 1812, married Alexander MC DONALD, moved to Crown Point, Indiana, in 1838 and died in 1841. Their surviving children are Gertrude and Flora. Gertrude married Hiram HOLTON of Crown Point, Indiana.
Mary born in 1814, married William W. HARTSHORN of Jerusalem and emigrated to Flint, Mich.
Lois born in 1818, married Charles MC DANIEL. Their children were Oscar, Eugene, and Francis. Oscar married Augusta VAN OSDOL of Gorham.
Janette born in 1822, married Joshua HULL and emigrated to Dubuque, Iowa.
Abiel THOMAS, the head of this family, was a man of note in the early period of the country. During a long period he was Justice of the Peace and he often filled other offices.
Samuel H. TORREY was born and married Judith LARNED in Connecticut. They settled in Naples in 1810. Subsequently they moved to Rushville, and became permanent residents of that vicinity. Their children were Nancy, Samuel H., Larned, Henry, Augustus, Hiram and Lucy.
Nancy was the wife of Jabez METCALF.
Samuel H. married Mary STRAUGHAN of the town of Seneca. They resided many years in Italy Hollow, and moved thence to Farmington.
Larned born in 1790, married Polly, daughter of John MOWER of Italy. They settled in Middlesex, where he died in 1848, had she surviving him, died in 1859 at the age of 73 years. Their children were Hiram, Nancy, Henry H., Sarah, Huldah, Larned M., Mary and John M. Hiram married Mary HART of Hopewell. The emigrated to New Orleans, where he died in 1870, leaving six children, Spencer, Judith L, Alice, Helen, Rose and Larned. Henry is single and lives at Palmyra, NY. Sara died single at aged 21 years.
Huldah is single and lives on the old homestead in Middlesex. Larned M., married Henrietta BRIGGS, of New Orleans. They reside in Kansas. Mary married Hiram COREY, and emigrated to Illinois, where he died. She now resides in Rushville and has one child, Hattie. John M. married Olive SABIN of Naples, lives in Indiana and has one child, Mary. Nancy married James SMITH of Seneca Falls, where they settled and he died leaving two children, Harriet E. and Nancy J. Harriet E. is unmarried and resides on the old grandfather homestead. Nancy J. married Levi B. MOREY of Schodack, NY and resides on the old TORREY homestead in Middlesex. They have three children, Lily E., James S. and George T. Mr. MOREY has been a Justice of the Peace in that town, and is now an Inspector in the NY Custom House.
Henry TORREY married Amanda HOWARD of Rushville. She died leaving a daughter, Amanda, who married David RUNION. The second wife of Henry TORREY was Olive GATES of Gorham. She died leaving a daughter, Mary, who married Peter DE BOIS, a resident of Potter. Mr. TORREY’S third wife was Clarissa MOWER (widow BLDOGETT). They had a daughter, Clarissa, who became the wife of Pomeroy FITCH. Henry TORREY was long a resident of Rushville, and several times Supervisor of Potter. He had the honor of giving his name to the town of Torrey. He died in 1868 at the age of 74 years.
Augustus TORREY born in 1796, married Althea, daughter of Daniel WILDER of Bristol. She was born in 1800 and was a granddaughter of Gamaliel WILDER, one of the original owners of Bristol, who built the mill on the west side of Canandaigua Lake, to which the early settlers of Middlesex and Potter made frequent resort. He learned the trade of blacksmith at which he wrought several years after his marriage. Being a man of great energy and mental activity, he turned his attention to books and became conspicuous as a lawyer. He filled many public offices, was a long time Justice of the peace and several years one of the County Judges. His death was regarded a great public loss, especially at Rushville where his life was chiefly spent. Their children were: Judith L., Ann G., and Emma A. Judith L., married Charles E. LAMPORT of Rushville. They emigrated to Canton, Ill, where he died leaving two children. She now resides in the city of New York, where her only surviving daughter, Fanny, Married William H. JEWELL. Ann married Johnson JONES of Rushville, where she now resides as widow. Emma A. died single.
Hiram TORREY married Polly, daughter of Reuben SLAYTON. He was a carpenter and resided many years in Rushville. He died in the city of New York in 1861. His widow survives, residing with her daughter, Mrs. Daniel MORRIS of Penn Yan. Their children were: Reuben S., Lucy, Samuel H., Hiram, Sophia and William. Reuben S. married Elizabeth SWIFT. They reside in Geneva, and their children are Albert, Nora, Willie, Swift and Elizabeth. Lucy is the wife of Daniel MORRIS. Samuel H. married Mrs. Nora LOW. Under the administration of President Johnson, he was U.S. District Attorney of Louisiana, residing at New Orleans. They now reside at Geneva, NY and their surviving children are Augustus, Alice, Fanny, Kate and Judith. Hiram died at 15 years. Sophia married Alfred GOODRICH and died in Illinois leaving three children. William is a merchant in New York.
Lucy, daughter of Samuel H. TORREY Sr., married Rev. John C. MORGAN of Italy. They removed to Sheldon, NY, where she died leaving three children, Erastus G., Clara J. and Edward G.
John S. UNDERWOOD was born in Rhode Island and married Ruth COREY of Providence. She died there leaving six children, Samuel C., Lydia, George, John, Susan and Mary. He married a second wife, Abagail HERRINGTON of Rhode Island. In 1820 they became tenants of the POTTER farm, working it on shares for five years. He subsequently bought a farm on the Green Tract in Jerusalem of Edmund ROBINSON, David PAGE and Isaac ARNOLD, including in the several parcels, 300 acres which he finally sold to John FITZWATER, and which is now owned by Thomas W. SMITH. He returned to Potter and located on east lot 5, third range, where his son Oliver now resides. He died there in 1851, at the age of 66 years, and his widow still survives at the age of 82 years. The children by the second marriage were: William H., Oliver, Henry, Clarissa, Weeden, George, Benjamin and an adopted son, Horace.
Samuel C. emigrated south many years ago, and married there. Lydia married Joseph A. LEE of Potter. He died and she married a second husband, James JENNINGS of Benton. George died at 21 years.
John UNDERWOOD, born in 1810, married Elizabeth N., daughter of Ezekiel GARDNER, of the Potter place, and settled on that farm, where she died leaving two children, Bell and Henry. Bell is the wife of Frank A. WAGENER. Henry is single and is engaged in mercantile trade in Penn Yan, with John M. LATIMER. John UNDERWOOD married a second wife, Mary E., sister of his first wife. They have a son, John. Mr. UNDERWOOD was elected sheriff of Yates county in 1862 and served one term. He has been very active and zealous in politics as a Whig and Republican, and few men have been equally energetic and efficient in labor and business.
Susan married Jonathan NUTTEN of Italy, and emigrated to Moscow, Mich., where she die leaving six children, Cornelia, Agnes, Fayette, John, Seth and Mary.
Mary married George I. SHEARMAN, son of Isaac SHEARMAN. They moved to Keeler, MIch., and have a daughter, Bell.
William H. married first, Rachel, daughter of George WELLS. They had one child, Emma A. He married a second wife, Martha, daughter of Samuel WARNER of Potter. They have a daughter, Amanda.
Oliver married Emily R. HANKINSON of Potter. He is a successful farmer and a good citizen. They have a daughter, Mary A.
Henry married Jane HYER of Iowa and settled at Princeton in that State. They have two children.
Clarissa married William SILVERNAIL Jr., of Potter. They reside on the SILVERNAIL homestead. Their children are James E. and Charles H.
Weeden emigrated to California, single.
George married Sarah, daughter of Warner COLE. They reside on the Abel BRIGGS farm in Potter, and have two children, Nora and Charles.
Benjamin married Sarah, daughter of George WELLS. They reside in Venango county, PA, and have a son, William C.
Horace UNDERWOOD married Ruth R. Warner of Potter. He is an energetic farmer and a prosperous man. He has owned a number of farms and been an officer of the State Prison at Sing Sing; resides at present at Benton.
Jacob B. VAN OSDOL was born in Aurelius, Cayuga Co., and came to this county with his father’s family in 1817. His father, Jacob VAN OSDOL, was born in Somerset Co., NJ, and his wife was Leah BLUE, of NJ. They settled on a farm east of Middlesex Center, then entirely new. Their children were: Michael B., Lucretia, Maria, John, Betsey, Jacob B., Peter, Sarah, Hannah and Cornelius. Michael B. married first, Ann DROWN and had a second wife, Huldah, daughter of Durfee ALLEN Sr. She survives him. The children by the second marriage were Elizabeth, Huldah A. and Ozella.
Lucretia married Samuel BOOTS of Potter.
Maria married Henry CASE of Potter. Their children were: Phebe A., Lucy and John, all of whom were graduates of the State Normal School of Albany. John served three years in an Illinois regiment, in the war against the Rebellion, and was in many noted engagements. Lucy married John MALTMAN of Canandaigua.
John married Harriet ELLIISON of Ovid, and resides at Middlesex Center. Betsey died single.
Jacob B., born in 1811, was a tailor at Rushville, and married Hannah WILDER of that village. He represented Yates County in the Assembly in 1855. He died in 1857. They had two daughters, Augusts and Maria. Augusta married Oscar MC DANIEL of Potter. They reside in Middlesex and have two children, Jacob and Lena.
Peter married Ann, daughter of Oliver S. WILLIAMS 1st, of Middlesex. They have a daughter, Harriet, and reside at Naples. Sarah is single.
Hannah married John FISHER and resides near Rushville in Potter. Their children are Candace and Adelbert.
Cornelius married Ann Eliza VAN ANDEN of Rushville. They had two children, Lodowick and Susan. He has a second wife, Jennie HICKS of Utica and resides at Syracuse.
Henry VAN WORMER settled on the farm now owned by Darwin B. HOLBROOK, on lot 9 of the fifth range, at a very early day, and was succeeded by his brother, John, in 1806. They were originally from Hoosic. Among the several children of John, were two sons, Charles and John. Charles married Betsey SHERWOOD of Orange Co., and resided on the homestead, which he sold to Galen HOLBROOK. He finally died in Indiana. He was among the earliest to cultivate improved fruit by grafting, and owing to care in this respect the orchard on the HOLBROOK farm has always been noted for fine fruit. He was not especially addicted to hard farm labor, and loved hunting and the sports and adventures of the forest. He was a character of considerable note. His brother John grew up in the family of Deacon David SOUTHERLAND, married a Miss SECOR, settled adjoining the SOUTHERLAND homestead, and died there.
Nicholas VAN ZANDT was born in Bloomsburg, NJ in 1772, and died in Potter in 1858. His wife, Ida SUTPHIN of NJ, was born in 1777 and died in 1853. In 1800 the settled in Ovid, Seneca Co. and in 1815 on west lot 8, range four, in Potter, now known as the BARBER neighborhood. They had ten children, and tow more born in this town. They were Garrett, Lucretia, Anna, Maria, Margaret, Jecheliah, Lydia Jane, Amy, Garnetta, Isaac and Samuel.
Garret born in 1793, married Charity STOUT in 1814. They settled in this town and had seven children, Henry, Betsey A., Margaret, John, Jane, Nicholas and Ida. He was a solider in the War of 1812 and is still living, in Indiana.
Lucretia, born in 1795, married John WHEELAND in 18?0. They lived in Ovid and their children were Ida, Jeremiah and Garrett. She married a second husband, John PRICE of Livonia, NY
Anna born in 1797, was the first wife of Jeremiah BARBER; was married in 1813 and died in 1848.
Maria born in 1799, married John J. SCHNECK in 1814. They resided in this town several years and had four children, Eleanor, Jacob, Ann and William. In 1854, they moved to Ada, Kent Co., Mich. Where he died and she still resides.
Margaret born in 1801, married Jonathan STOUT in 1817. He was a shoemaker in Potter many years, and what was remarkable in the eyes of some, he always kept his promises, and was a man held in high esteem. Their children were, James, Jane, Mary and Lydia. James married Sarah A. COMSTOCK. They now reside at Byron, Ogle Co., Ill and have four children, Fanny, Herbert, Frank and Nellie. Jane married Cyrus DAINS. Their daughter, Margaret, married George GARDNER of Naples. Mary married Richard HARRIS of Cascade, Mich. Lydia married James BRONK of Green Co., NY and resides at Potter Center. They have one child, Eva.
Jecheliah born in 1803, married Arvine CLARK in 1818. They moved to Chautauqua Co. where she died leaving four children, Laura A. William, Nicholas and Caleb.
Lydia born in 1805, married Aaron STOUT in 1825. They lived at Geneva.
Jane born in 1809 married Truman G. SLITOR in 1827. They resided may years in Potter, and emigrated to Monona, Iowa. Their children are Hannah, Richard, Edward and Mary J.
Amy, born in 1811, married Josephus WOODRUFF in 1831. He was killed in Italy by an insane man, leaving three children, Margaret, Charles and Garnetta. She married a second husband, Joseph AKER of Italy. They had one daughter, Amy, who married John THOMAS.
Garnetta born in 1814 married Jarvis GREEN in 1833. Their children were Susan, Anna and Amy. She married a second husband, Thompson M. SLITOR. They lived in Potter and had two children, Amanda and Adelbert. Anna married William DAVIS; Amy, William LAMOUREAUX and Amanda, William SMITH.
Isaac VAN ZANDT, born in 1817, married Rachel NORTON in 1836 and emigrated to Troy, Ohio. Their children are Eleanor and Samuel S.
Samuel M. born in 1819, married Charity, daughter of William SIMMONS in 1840. They resided many years on the VAN ZANDT homestead, which they have sold to Culver S. BARBER. They have one son, Issac M, born in 1848.
The record of the VAN ZANDT family was chiefly from the record of Nicholas VAN ZANDT, written by himself in a clear, plain hand, on his 85th birthday. He was a man of exact walk in his daily life and reaped the rich fruits of it in a vigorous longevity.
VOAK
pg 839 – 841
John VOAK born in 1768 in Sussex Co, NJ, married there, Rachel DYER. She was born in 1764. She died in Potter in 1845 and he in 1849. They moved early to Wilksbarre, and thence in 1796 to Potter, locating on west lot 9 of the first range.
Abraham VOAK, his brother, had preceded them by two years and made some improvements. He lived on lot 94 in Benton, where Jeremiah SLAUGHTER now resides.
John VOAK worked for Arnold POTTER for an acre of land a day, till he had paid for 300 acres. The first season their log cabin had a bark roof, a blanket for a door and oiled paper for windows. Mrs. VOAK was a Quakeress and he a Methodist. After they had lived seven years in the woods they had the first preaching. Their house then became a regular stopping place for the Methodist itinerants. They struggled hard for some years against the hardship of pioneer life, their nearest neighbors being Abraham VOAK and David SOUTHERLAND, each a mile and a half distant. The wolves devoured their sheep and even attacked their cows, and sometimes they would keep night fires burning to scare off the wolves and bears. The Indians gave them frequent calls with some needless alarm to the women. The oldest daughter, Lydia, went to mill on horseback through the woods and on one occasion was detained over night at Melchoir WAGENER’S much to the alarm of the family. John VOAK gave each of his sons 70 acres of land, the oldest daughter, forty, and the youngest, a sum of money, and settled them, all in his own vicinity. Their children were: Lydia, James, Abraham, Isaac, Sarah, Samuel, Joseph, Mary, John and Josiah. Mary and John died young.
Lydia, born in 1789, married Rev. Peregrine HALLETT of Potter and settled on a part of the homestead, where she still lives, a widow.
James, born in 1791, married Rebecca, daughter of Jesse HALL, who settled on the lot northeast of Secor Corners, about the time Deacon SOUTHERLAND arrived. She was born in 1800 and is the only remaining member of the family in this section. Their children are Ellen, Huldah D., Isaac D. and John. Ellen born in 1818, married Harmon STILES of Potter. They moved to Fredonia, NY with their children, Emma and Clarence H. Huldah D., born in 1820, married Hiram U. REYNOLDS of Benton and in 1854 emigrated to Forreston, Ogle Co., Illinois, where they reside. They have one child, Herbert. Isaac D., born in 1820?, married Margaret SCOTT of Seneca. She died leaving three children, Loren D., Clara and Wilbur W. They resided in Benton, near the old homestead, but now live in Buffalo. John, born in 1827 married Rachel SCOTT of Seneca. He is an esteemed citizen residing with his father on the old homestead. They have three children, Mary R., Horace G and Dexter J.
Abraham born in 1793, married Patty PAYNE of Potter, and settled in the at town near the homestead, where they reared their family of six children, Wesley, Joel, Nelson, Hannah, Job and Mary J., all of whom are scattered in the west.
Isaac born in 1795, married Beersheba PAYNE of Potter. They settled in Benton near the homestead where he died in 1834, leaving his widow and four children, James D., Charles W., Caroline and Martha M. His widow married Benjamin B. HALLETT.
Sarah, born in 1797 married John PAYNE of Potter. They settled in Prattsburg, he as a merchant; thence he returned to Potter, and settled on a farm near the old Joshua PAYNE homestead, thence on a far near the VOAK homestead where they now reside. They have four children: Almira, Mary, John W. and Josiah D. Almira married Charles D. CLEVELAND of Benton. Mary PYANE married Charles BATES, son of Orrin BATES. He was born in 1820 in what is now Torrey; moved with his father’s family to Potter, on the farm now occupied by Isaac LANE in the Voak Settlement. After marriage, they settled first on the farm now occupied by Robert J. HALL, and afterwards owned the James SMITH farm in Benton. Since 1866 they have resided in Penn Yan. Their surviving children are Sarah, Melissa, Emma E., Frank E. and Jennie R. Emma E. married William N. SMITH, and they moved to the new State of Idaho. Her parents moved to Kansas in 1871 and now reside in Wilmington, Sumner Co., in that state. Frank E. is engaged in the spoke business on Keuka Lake outlet. John W. married Maria SOUTHERLAND of Potter. Josiah D. married Mary MUNGER of Watkins and they reside there.
Samuel, born in 1799, married Maria KENT of Benton and settled in that town, near the VOAK homestead, and thence moved to Steuben Co., where his wife died leaving one child, Alvira. He married again and moved to Illinois.
Joseph, born in 1801, married Abigail WALLING of Potter, and settled in Benton, half a mile northeast of the old homestead. They have two surviving children, John E. and Joseph B. After his wife’s death, he married Wealthy OWEN of Rushville, near which place they now live. They have two children, Watson and Minnie.
Josiah VOAK was born in 1809, and married Lucretia, daughter of Stephen WYMAN of Potter. They settled in Benton, one mile northeast of the old homestead, where they now live. Their children are Nancy, Isaac, Elizabeth, Owen and William S. Nancy married Smith ALLEN of Benton. Isaac married Eliza, daughter of John SOHTERLAND of Potter. He enlisted in the army in 1863, sickened, returned and died in 1865. His widow married John CLARK of Benton.
Lindsey WARFIELD was born in Frederic, Maryland, in 1784 and in 1798 came to this town with John TUCKER, his stepfather. They settled on the farm now occupied by Benjamin WATKINS, whose wife was Rowena L. tucker and heir to the property. Her mother, Anna TUCKER, by her first marriage, was the mother of Lindsey WARFIELD. In 1816, Lindsey WARFIELD married Elizabeth, sister of Capt. Peter LAMOREAUZ. They finally settled on what was known as the FAUROT farm, in the WARFIELD neighborhood.
He received a land warrant for his service in the war of 1812. He died in 1864, his wife surviving him. Their children were: Richard N., Hester J., Andrew W., Lindsey D., Harriet, Charles H., Sarah A., Rowena E. and Myron F.
Richard N., born in 1817, married Rachel HILL. He is a druggist and oil dealer and resides in Rochester. Their children are R. Henry, Emma E. Lindsey B. and Abbie L.
Hester J., born in 1819, married in 1840, Alvin CHAMBERLIN of Lima, NY. Their children are Charlotte A. and Francis E.
Andrew W. born in 1821 became a physician and married Maria D. WEARE of Rushville. They moved to La Salle, Ill, where she died leaving three children, Ada R., Ardella D. and Lindsey N. He returned to Potter, enlisted in the 50th Regiment of Engineers and was assigned to hospital and sanitary service. He died at Raleigh, NC, after being present at many important engagements, and was buried in the city cemetery with military honors.
Lindsey D., born in 1823, lives single on the homestead, as does Harriet, born in 1826 and Sarah A. LORN in 1830.
Charles H., born in 1828, was a druggist at Prattsburg and died single in 1865.
ROWENA E. born in 1833, married Dr. James A. BENNETT of Lima, NY. He is a physician at Prattsburg. He was a surgeon in the war in the 13th NY Heavy Artillery. They have one child, Elizabeth.
Myron F., born in 1836, married Frances H., daughter of Robert GREEN of Rushville. He succeeded his brother in the drug trade at Prattsburg. They have one son, Charles. He was a soldier of the 28th NYV, enlisting as a private and becoming a First Lieutenant for meritorious service at the battle of Chancellorsville. He was engaged at the battle of Cross Roads, Newton, Cedar Mountain, Rappahannock and Antietam.
Among the early settles in the WARFIELD neighborhood, was a Mr. WESSON from New England, who settled on the farm subsequently owned by Thomas REYNOLDS. William FOSTER was an original settler in the same locality, on the Daniel HOLLEY farm. Abraham FLORENCE on the Joshua ALLEN farm. These were within the present boundaries of Middlesex.
James SOUTHERLAND, a brother of David SOUTHERLAND, settled the SAVAGE farm, and died there at an early day. His widow married Capt. Henry GREEN, and resided several years on the farm, which then passed to the heirs of the SOUTHERLAND family and finally vested by descent in Almon SAVATE, who married Sarah, daughter of Joseph SOUTHERLAND, one of the sons of Deacon David SOUTHERLAND.
Nathan WARNER born in Granby, Mass., in 1774, died in Potter in 1857. He came to the town in 1796. His wife, Martha CARD was born in 1775 in Rhode Island. They were married in 1798 in Augusta. They settled on land adjoining George GREEN on the east, where both died. Their children were: Benjamin, Samuel W., James S., Martha, Hannah, Tamar, Sarah, Rachel, R., William E. and Lydia J. Benjamin, born in 1801, died without children in 1865. Samuel W., born in 1803, married Freelove A. JENKINS in 1823. She was a native of Providence, RI, born in 1801. Their children were: James H., William, Mary, Benjamin F. and Nathan. The father married in 1808, a second wife, Sarah STONE of Pultney. She died in 1862, at the age of 76 years. James H. married Jane DOWNEY and they have four children. Mary married George R. BOOTS. Nathan married Charlotte PELTON.
James S. WARNER born in 1809, married Clarrissa KELLEY of Potter. He died in 1843, leaving two children, Sarah and Emmet. Sarah is the wife of Ira UNDERWOOD. Emmet, born in 1842, enlisted in the Union Army in 1862, and served in the Army of the Potomac till the end of the war, participating in tits principal battles. He was taken a prisoner in the Wilderness during the seven days’ fight, and was confined some time a starving prisoner at Richmond.
Martha and Nathan M. died single.
Hannah born in 1816, became the wife of Jareb D. BORDWELL. Tamar born in 1819, married John E. WAGER of Middlesex. Sarah born in 1821, married Samuel JAQUA. She is now a widow, residing at Cohocton, NY. Their children are George, Edward, Emma, John and one other.
Rachel R., born in 1823, married Horace UNDERWOOD.
William E. WARNER born in 1825, married Ellen RICHIE, and resides on the old family homestead.
Lydia J., born in 1833, lives single in California.
Daniel G. WEARE was born in 1789, in Oxford, New Hampshire. The family were Scotch. He married Lydia COLEMAN of Whately, Mass. in 1811. she was born in 1784. In 1812 they settled in the town of Seneca, near the Lake, a few miles south of Geneva, near the old Glass Factory. For many years he was a state proprietor and mail contractor. He had a route from Auburn to Ithaca, passing by way of Cayuga and west of Cayuga Lake. The first steamer on the Lake diverted the trail from this route. He was also an associate in the Albany and Buffalo stage line, and was for some time employed by John MAGEE, by whom his sagacity and judgment were greatly prized as a manager of stage lines. They became fast friends through life. In 1819 he moved to Potter in which town he thereafter resided, except for a few years at Sherman’s Hollow. For a long time he had a mail route form Geneva by way of Hall’s Corners, Bethel, Rushville, Potter, Italy Hollow, Italy Hill, Penn Yan, Hopeton, (where Abraham DOX was Postmaster, John L. LEWIS Sr., keeping the office). He died at Potter Center in 1863, after a long and active participation in the early history of the Genesee country. His widow survives and is a remarkable specimen of those self-reliant New England mothers, who were the pride of our early history. Their children were: Samuel C., Mary H., Sarah, Caroline, Daniel G., Orrin R and Delight.
Samuel C. WEARE marred Martha W., daughter of col. Israel ARNOLD. They have resided in Penn Yan, he as a merchant; also some years at the West, in Canada as a lumber dealer, and recently on a farm in Benton. Their children are Martha and Arthur R. Martha married William H. GROTWICK, of Albany. Arthur R. was a soldier of the 20th NY Cavalry, and was engaged in numerous battles. During a portion of his service, he was a detective.
Mary H. married Homer B. WILLIAMS of Palmyra, where they resided some years, moving thence to the city of New York. They had two sons, Rufus M. and Charles. Rufus was accidentally killed by a gun shot in Potter, in 1861.
Caroline married Henry LAZARUS. They reside near the Friend’s place in Jerusalem.
Daniel G. WEARE Jr., married Nancy LEONARD of Fairport, NY. He is a physician, was a regimental surgeon during the Rebellion, and received promotion to surgeon in chief of a Brigade, serving on Gen. CUSTAR’S Staff. After the war he accompanied his regiment on an Indian campaign to the North Platte. He studied his profession with Dr. William M. MAY, of Palmyra and graduated in 1847 at the College of Physicians and Surgeons in New York. He practiced 8 years in Georgia and Louisiana, and moved thence to Michigan. The town of Weare in that State, was named in his honor. He there entered the army in the 6th Michigan Cavalry. He now resides at Clifton Springs, (Ontario Co.) NY.
Orrin R. WEARE emigrated single to California in 1849. He and S. Burnett WYMAN raised a flag at their headquarters in Placer Co., naming the location, Auburn. The place has become a town of note. He visited home once, returned to California and has not been hear from in several years.
Delight married Reese CASE of the town of Seneca. He was for some time a miller and merchant at Geneva, Wis., and now resides at Clifton Springs. Their children are Homer, Henry, Edward, Fanny and William.
Nathan WEBB, an early settler in Potter, was born in 1768, in Norwich, CT. He married Polly PRATT in 1793. she was born in 1773. They settled on the farm now owned by Moses B. WATKINS, on lot 11, of the sixth range, in 1798, where he died in 1807. She survived till 1858, dying at the resident of her son. Dr. Nathan WEBB in Potter. Of their children, John F. married Lydia HOYT of Cortland in 1820. They settled on the homestead and afterwards moved to Evans, Erie Co., where he died leaving eight children.
Dorcas married John MORRIS of Gorham, where she died leaving four children, Perley, Cuyler, Julia and Loren, with whom he moved to Huron Co., Ohio.
Ruby married Henry HOBART of Gorham and settled at Pittsfield, Mich., where both died leaving four children, Emily, Myron, Elizabeth and Ruby.
Aurelia married Nilham YAW of Pittsfield, Mich., where she died leaving two sons, John L. and Henry F.
Mary married Hiram CADY of Gorham and moved to Pittsfield, Mich., where he died and she lives with her children, of whom there were three, Myron, Eliza and Homer.
Nathan WEBB Jr., married Lorinda ENOS of Evans, Erie Co. He practiced medicine several years in Potter and was regarded skillful in his profession. He moved to Pittsfield, Mich., where he chiefly practiced as a surgeon. Their children were: Georgiana, Harriet, Frederic, Hadley, James and Kate. The sons were volunteers in the Union Army and Frederic was killed in the battle of Antietam.
Nathan WEBB Sr. at one of the early parades of the militia, on the farm of Mr. FRENCH, who was captain, exercised in the ranks with a borrowed gun, which he supposed not loaded. To his surprise and horror, it discharged and killed Benjamin MC NAIR, a young man, with a log house near by. This deplorable casualty gave Mr. WEBB such a shock as to seriously affect the happiness of his after life.
Beza WHITMAN was a native of Massachusetts. (May 13, 1773 - April 7, 1810) He located in Rushville, about 1800, having previously lived in what is now Middlesex. His wife was Alice, (1777-1857), a sister of Capt. Henry GREEN. He build and kept the first public house in Rushville, where now stands the residence of Mrs. Periander VORCE, whose present house was part of the original structure. He died in 1810 and his wife in 1853. Their children were Augustus, Marcus, Henry G., Samuel and Alice.
Augustus born in 1797, married Julia, daughter of Aaron PUTNEY. They became the owners of his paternal homestead at Rushville, where he established a tannery, and pursued that trade many years. While retaining his home at Rushville he subsequently established an extensive tannery at Wayland, Steuben County, where he was a large landowner. He died there in 1865. At Rushville he was a valued citizen and an estimable member of the Congregational church, a man of generous and benevolent nature. Their only daughter, Deborah, married William C. CRITTENDEN, then a merchant at Rushville, afterwards a successful farmer and owner of the HARWOOD farm. He finally moved to Canandaigua and died there in 1865. The surviving children are: Thompson, Julia W., Mary F., Isabella, Caroline, Antoinette, Harriet, Mabel B., William T. and Augustus W. (b. 1798)
Marcus WHITMAN born in 1799, upon the death of his father, was cared for by an uncle in Massachusetts, and was educated a physician. He practiced his profession several years in the town of Wheeler, Steuben Co. A deeply religious man with a noble thirst for adventure and exploration, he united with Rev. Samuel PARKER of Ithaca and Rev. Henry H. SPAULDING of Prattsburg, in an overland journey to the northwest about 1834, under the direction of the American Board of Foreign Missions. He brought back two Indian boys, with whom he surprised his Rushville friends in the early winter of 1835. Unannounced he walked into church followed by his native protégés and created a decided sensation. The following spring (1836) he married Narcissa, daughter of Judge PRENTICE for many years a resident of Prattsburg, and returned overland with a considerable colony to the Pacific coast. There after eleven years of great industry and usefulness among the Nez Perces and other Indians in the Walla Wally Valley, he and his wife were both slain in the massacre, to which it is believed, the Indians were incited by the agents of the Hudson Bay Company. Dr. WHITMAN did a great service to the country, crossing the mountains in the midst of winter to apprize the authorities at Washington of the great value of the immense North Western territory, which they were about to cede to Great Britain for a trifling consideration. It is but recently that his patriotic and self-sacrificing efforts have met with just appreciation. The legislature of Washington Territory propose the erection of a monument to his memory, a most appropriate act of justice. (see article) (they died Nov 29, 1847) (Dr. Marcus Whitman, aged 44, KILLED; Narcissa (PRENTISS) Whitman, aged 39, KILLED) Another site
Henry S. WHITMAN married Emeline STEARNS of Gorham, and settled near Rushville in that town, where he died leaving four children, Mary, Anna, Emma and Henry.
Samuel married Mary PEABODY, of Rushville and resides near Dansville, NY. They have three sons, Perine B., Prentice and Orrin G.
Alice married Henry S. MESEROLE of
Rushville. They reside at Naples
and their children are Darwin, Martha, Marcus W., Frank H. and Mary.
Joseph H. WILLIAMS came to this town from Orange, Mass. And settled on what is now known as the GARDINER farm, near Capt. Rows PERRY. Of his children, Abigail married Clark GREEN of Rushville; Huldah, Adolphus MORSE of Gorham; Sarah, James LOOMIS of Rushville; Rachel, James HOLTON of Potter; Laura, Willard FAY of Prattsburg; Joseph, Elsie PIERCE of Middlesex; Polly, Henry ANDRUSS of Branchport; John F. married Mandavilla BEEMAN of Cayuga Co.; Ira C., Maria BENEDICT of Jerusalem; Margaret, Theodore BAKER of Ohio. Mrs. James HOLTON stated of these, here family, that when the youngest was 53 years old, all were living with their married partners. The youngest died first in 1869.
The successor of John GRIFFIN in Middlesex was his brother in law, Richard Montgomery WILLIAMS. He was born in Huntington, Long Island, March 17, 1776, and was a descendant of a Welch family, early resident on Long Island. His father was the third in lineal descent, whose name was Nathaniel. His mother, Penelopy YOUNG, was from another Welsh family of Long Island, from which also sprung Samuel YOUNG of Saratoga, a celebrated character in the political history of New York. The family of Nathaniel WILLIAMS were retained as prisoners within the British lines at Flatbush during their occupation of New York and Long Island, in the Revolutionary war. The mother died there in 1780, while Richard M., the only surviving child was receiving an education in a military camp, as the pet of the British officers. At five years he could shoot at a mark with great precision and was a remarkable expert in fencing and boxing, and a frequent winner for his backers in these sports. He retained these accomplishments well along in life, and made them available in his pioneer experience. His education as a scholar was conferred by private tutors and was thorough, embracing mathematics, the best scientific lore of his time, and good classical attainments. What is unusual among men in active life, he made his knowledge available in his daily affairs, and retained it fresh and clear in his mind. His Latin and French works he continued to read while he lived and seldom found it needful to consult an index for a passage, even when his mind had not recurred to it for many years. In his thirst for knowledge he gathered a large library and surrounded himself with all sorts of publications. He was trained a merchant by his father who moved to Lansingbury, NY, after the close of the Revolutionary war.
In 1793, while yet a minor he came to Geneva, where he was one of the first three to establish a store, and traffic with the Indians and pioneers. In 1795 he married Amy, daughter of Epenetus HART. She was born in Pennsylvania, Jan 7, 1779. In 1798 they went to Savannah, GA, where his father accompanied them and died there. In five or six years the unhealthy climate compelled them to return. In 1805 he opened trade as a merchant at Aurora, Cayuga Co., NY, under the firm of R M & Z Williams. His partner, Zebulon WILLIAMS, had a store on the opposite side of the Lake in Seneca Co., afterwards he resided in Benton and then in Palmyra. In 1812 he succeeded John GRIFFIN in Middlesex, (now Potter), carrying forward large operations as a farmer, merchant, and manufacture of potash and whisky. He died there June 4, 1837. He was a strong supporter of JEFFERSON, and Daniel D. TOMPKINS was repeatedly supervisor of Middlesex, and was offered the office of First Judge, when Yates county was organized. This he refused but afterwards consented to serve as Associate Judge a short time. He was no seeker of office, but in his business he was active and driving, as well as just and accurate. By his efforts a mail route was established from Canandaigua through Rushville , Potter, Naples, Blood’s Corners, Liberty and Prattsburg, keeping it up at his own risk and expense till the offices became remunerative to the government. He had stores al all these places except Blood’s Corners and Rushville. Socially he was a warm and steadfast friend, and he endeavored to render his children intelligent and faithful to the moral virtues. Four of their ten children became adults, Eliza, Richard H., Susan P. and Mary H.
Eliza born in Vernon (now Torrey) in 1805, married Britton M. WILLIAMS of Orange Co. They lived some time on the Middlesex (now Potter) homestead and he died leaving two daughters, Emma H., and Margaret E. Emma H. married Martin B. LEWIS and resides at Red Wing, Minnesota. Margaret E. married Rev. Edwin RICE and died at La Crosse, Wis., leaving one son, Edwin W.
Richard H. WILLIAMS born at Aurora, Cayuga Co., NY, Aug 3, 1807, married Phebe, daughter of Jesse RYDER of Sing Sing, NY, on October 23, 1834. Their children have been Henry m., Sarah E., Helen L., Margaret B. and Edward E. Sarah E. died at the age of twenty in 1861. Henry M, a young man of great energy and personal worth, went to Melbourne, Australia in 1861, where for some years he was actively engaged as a merchant; but loss of health compelled his return, and he is still an invalid. The family have resided in New York since 1863.
Mr. WILLIAMS was trained to business under his father in the extensive operation of his affairs, which included farming and a large trade in general merchandise and produce. He was educated in the schools of the country and the Academies of Aurora and Canandaigua, and the Scientific Rensselaer School at Troy, NY, under its founder, the famous Prof. Amos EATON. Residing in Middlesex till 1863, he was always a prominent and influential citizen of the county. He and John SPICER were the first commissioners of the county for loaning the U.S. Deposit Fund and continued in office two terms. They made the entire original investment without the least loss or error. In 1843 he represented the county in the Assembly and became conspicuous by his report as chairman of a select committee, advocating the repeal of the restriction on the practice of medicine. The actual repeal took place the next year, after more than 30 years agitation. (See Assembly Do., No. 69,1843)
In 1845 he was elected to the State Senate from the old 7th district. He served two years, his term being cut short by the adoption of the constitution of 1846. As a Senator he was an able, industrious and influential legislator. It was due to him that the law requiring checks for baggage on railroads was passed, he having introduced the bill and urged its passage. He also made a report much in advance of public opinion, bout sound in its foresight, favoring the consolidation of the seven railroads, now constituting the New York Central. (See Senate Doc. 149, vol 4, 1847, also a bill requiring these roads to re-lay their several tracks with the heavy T rail; also a bill allowing the same roads to carry freight throughout the years by paying canal tolls. He was distinguished for his persistent and successful advocacy of the measure for the reduction of salt duties, the State officers proposing a duty of three cents a bushel within the State, and one cent for that which went out of the State. By his efforts they were defeated and the duty made uniform at one cent. He also advocated the Niagara Suspension Bridge and on his motion its charter was reconsidered and passed, after it had been deliberately voted down as impracticable. Upon its recall it was placed in his charge as a member of the railroad committee. In the support of legal reform he was earnest and persistent, and finally succeeded in obtaining a commission filled with his nominees in the place of those know to be adverse to change, as was a part of the first commission. (See Albany Atlas, Apr 1847, No. 2009)
He was twice supervisor of Middlesex, and
was association with George A. SHEPPARD, commissioner for the re-erection of the
county jail in 1857. In 1865-6 he
held a position in the U.S Customs in the city of New York.
His life public and private has been one of activity and usefulness and
while marked by independence has never been tainted by selfishness nor
corruption. He has been efficient
and zealous in the collection and arrangements of facts and incidents for this
County History. His first vote was
cast in 1828 for General JACKSON, for whom he was the first to raise the
standard in Yates County. He was
also among the foremost to organize and support the Free Soil Party of 1848, and
never consented to its re-absorption with the reactionary elements from which
that party cut loose. Hence he was
a thorough Republican long before the party had its birth, and was active,
prominent and effective in its organization.
A man of generous personal qualities he has a ready hospitality for new
ideas and is consequently a progressive man, generally in advance of most
others, especially in agricultural, political and social improvement.
His vigor of mind, integrity of character and devotion to human progress,
entitles him to rank among the foremost men who have given celebrity to Yates
county.
Susan P., born at Aurora in 1812, married Henry HUSTED of Pine Plaines, Dutchess Co. They settled in Potter on the Enoch BORDWELL farm, on lot 5, of the fifth farm range, where they still reside. Their children are: Mary E., Emma C., Sarah S., Cornelius and Isabella S. Emma C. is the wife of Frank H. PURDY. Sarah S. married Jeffrey THOMAS of Potter, resides in Michigan. Henry HUSTED about 40 years a resident of Potter, has been a prominent man in political affairs, frequently holding office in his town. He is a member of the Methodist Church.
Mary H., born in Middlesex in 1814, died single at the homestead in 1836.
Mrs. Amy WILLIAMS survived her husband many years and died at the residence of her son, Richard H. WILLIAMS in 1862, nearly 84 years old. She was a woman of great energy and perseverance and her kindest sympathies were always extended to all she deemed deserving. As a wife and mother she was most devoted and affectionate.
Jonas WYMAN came from Lancaster, Mass., first stopping four years at Whitestown. His wife was Hannah SMITH of Lancaster. They settled in Potter in 1796. His father, Jonas WYMAN Sr., settled on west lot 2, of the second farm range, opposite and near Rev. William HOBART. Jonas WYMAN Jr., died in 1801 at the age of 62 years, and his wife in 1829, at the age of 79 years. Their children were:
I. Polly, who married Nicanor BROWN of Whitestown
II. Betsey married Gen. Oliver COLLINS of Whitestown
III. John married Sophia CULVER of the town of Seneca, settled a few years on the home farm, sold his half to William L. HOBART and moved to Gorham in 1808.
IV. Samuel WYMAN born in 1780, married Betsey R. WATERMAN, who was born at Norwich, RI, in 1786. They were married at George GREEN’S house, by Rev. Mr. ALLEN, a Presbyterian Clergyman at Naples, in 1806. They settled in 1809 on the present homestead, where Enoch BORDWELL and George GREEN had built a sawmill and a log house. The farm contained 104 acres, on lot 1, farm range four. He died in 1848 and his widow is still living. Their children were George G. and Sally (twins), William W., Susan L., John R., Eliphalet H., Hannah S. Samuel B. and Betsey.
George G., born in 1806, married Caroline ROSS in 1831. She was born in CT in 1811. They settled on the George GREEN farm, where they still reside. He is an exemplary and upright citizen and a prosperous farmer. Their daughter, Adelia S., married Rev. Edwin J. HERMANS. A son, Whitford B., married Rachel CRAWFORD of Penn Yan and resides on lot 8, range three. Elizabeth married Frank TELFORD of the town of Seneca. Harriet R. married Franklin E. HOBART, son of John F. HOBART. Edwards S. married Elizabeth, daughter of Jareb D. BORDWELL. There are besides, Emily, Eugene, Flora, Charlotte and Henry. Emily is a graduate of the Lima Seminary and an accomplished teacher.
Sally, twin sister of George G. WYMAN, married in 1826, to Peter BASOM. They reside on lot 2 range five. Of their children, Martha J. married Harry L. COVERT of Potter; Samuel W., married Margaret BOGART of Potter; Catharine married Alfred INGRAM of Potter; and Susan married John ALDRIDGE of Middlesex and moved to Michigan.
William W., born in 1809, married Sylvia STEARNS of Italy. They had three children. Charles D. married Susanah CHAMPLIN of Jerusalem. He died in 1862 at the age of 27 years. Betsey Ann married Mathew FAILING. Wemple W. is single. The mother of these children, died in 1857 and the father married a second wife, Sarah An CRAWFORD of Penn Yan. He resides on the old homestead farm on lot 2, farm range three.
Susan L., born in 1810, married Walter SIMMONS and moved to Lockport, NY, where she died.
John R., born in 1813, married Ann Maria JOHNSON of Potter in 1836. He kept a hotel some years in the city of New York. He died at Potter in 1859. They had two children, Harvey and Helen, both of whom are married. Eliphalet H., born in 1817, married Mary SOULES. They live in Barry, Orleans Co., and have two children, Sarah and Perry M.
Hannah S., born in 1819, married David A. THOMAS and resides in Gorham. Their children are: William W., Mariba E., Burnett S., Matilda C., Franklin W. and Nelly L.
Samuel B., born in 1822, married Mary L. WILSON and resides at Lincoln, California.
Betsey born in 1825, married William S. COATES of Jerusalem and died in 1871.
V. Jonas WYMAN, third son of Jonas Jr., born in 1785, ws a physician at Lima, NY. He studied his profession with Dr. Jareb DYER. In 1815 he died, leaving two children, Harvey and Betsey. His widow died in 1841 at the age of 70 years. Harvey died in 1847 at aged 33 years.
VI. Sally was the first wife of William L. HOBART.
VII. Stephen born in 1798, married Nancy TAFT. They lived some years on the old homestead and moved to Barry, Orleans Co., where he died in 1847. His wife died in 1831 and he married a second time. The children by the first marriage were Stephen, Lucretia, Asa, James, Sarah and Kelsey. Lucretia married Josiah VOAK.
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