Starkey 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.
Deliverance SAWYER was born in 1750 and his wife, Mercey NASH in 1723 (sic). They were of New England birth, and were married about 1775. In the spring of 1814, they moved to the place known as Canada Settlement ,and bought a farm near that of Buell NEWCOMB, where they lived till his death, about 1830. She survived till 1843. Their children were Joseph, Deliverance, Cynthia, Eunice, Mercy, Sarah, Dorothea, Mary and Nash.
Joseph, born in 1779, lived a bachelor, and died at the residence of his brother, Nash, in Starkey in 1865, having resided on the old homestead to the end of his days.
Deliverance Jr., born near Boston in 1781, married first in 1805, Abigail, daughter of Azariah NEWCOMB. She was born in 1787. They owned a farm in Canada Settlement, settling there with the rest of the family. She died in 1817 and he married in 1819, Lucy, daughter of Henry LORD. He died in advance years. They children by the first marriage were Adna, Cyrus, Orril and Olive A.; by the second marriage, Nelson, Abagail, William H., Mary e., Elliott L. Adelia A. and Byron. Adna born in 1806, married Elizabeth A., daughter of Judge Cornelius MASTEN. He has been a merchant, farmer, and an enterprising operator and now resides at Dundee, a citizen of wealth, prominence and respectability. Their children are Edward M., Agnes M., Lizzie and Ella.
Orril born in 1808, married Captain Edmund WETHERBY of Hector. They reside in Ohio and their children are Clotilda, Adna S., Olive, Philancy, Samuel, Harriet and Cyrus. Adna S. was an eminent physician and died at 32 years, in 1870 at Cardington, Ohio. Olive A. SAWYER born in 1810, married Rev. Edward HOITCHKISS, a Presbyterian clergyman and resides in Corning. They have a son, Edward A. who married Cynthia, daughter of James HUNTINGTON. The reside in Minnesota and have two children, May and Bell. Cyrus SAWYER born in 1811, was an able and effective minister of the Methodist faith, and died in 1848 at Delaware, Ohio, leaving a widow there. Nelson was born in 1819 and married in 1847, Mary GIBBONS of Trumansburg. He was a teacher and pupil of Beriah GREEN, also an editor and a physician. He died at Pennville, Indianan, in 1870, leaving four children. Abigail born in 1821, married Dr. Charles B. PORTER, of Ann Arbor, Mich. She was principal of Grass Lake, Mich. Seminary. They have two children, Alice and Charles. William H., born in 1823, married in 1857, to Mary P., daughter of James HUNTINGTON. He was a merchant of character in Dundee and died in 1868. Mary E. born in 1829, married in 1849, Charles KELSEY of Benton. He died leaving a son, Charles. She had a second husband, William f. SPAULDING, a merchant at Jackson, Mich. They have a son, Arthur. Elliott L. born in 1831, is a merchant and banker in California. Adelia A. born in 1835, married Gen. O. L. MANNING, a wealthy citizen of Chicago. Their children are May, June and Maud. Byron born in 1840, married Lizzie M. SMITH of New York. He is a grain dealer at Chicago. They have a daughter, Ida Bell.
Cynthia married Mr. MANNING of Allsbury, NY.
Eunice married Lyman MOREHOUSE in Canada, where they remained.
Mercy married first, Mr. BELDING in Canada, and second, Thomas FINGLAND in Canada. She is still living in the city of New York. Her daughter, Pamelia, is the wife of a New York millionaire.
Sarah married Rev. Stephen LAMPHIER, a Christian minister. They moved to Ohio after a long residence in Starkey. Their children are Mercy, Sarah, Eliza, Stephen, Byron, Eunice and Wesley.
Dorothea born in 1791, married Buell NEWCOMB.
Mary married Rev. Nathan DODSON, a Methodist preacher of considerable note. Their children are James, Loring, Samuel, Torrey, Mary and George.
Nash, born in 1800, married in 1822, Mary C. daughter of Judge Richard SMITH of Hector. She died in 1827, and he married a second wife in 1828, Sarah C., daughter of Christopher LONGSTREET Sr. He inherited the paternal homestead and died thereon in 1862. His widow resides there now with her youngest son. The children by the first marriage were Richard S. and Olive M. (twins); by the second, marriage, Adaline, Eliza h. and Cyrus M. Richard M. born in 1823, died young. Olive M. married in 1849, Joel SAMMIS, a merchant of New York. She died in 1854 leaving one child, Rovaine. Adaline born in 1829, died in 1849. Eliza H. born in 1832, became the second wife of Joel SAMMIS. Cyrus M., born in 1843, married in 1864, Sarah, daughter of William ROSS. He resides on the old SAWYER homestead with his mother.
Melvin SCHENCK was born in New Jersey in 1778 and married Sarah WALDEN born in 1783. They settled as early as 1805 in Bennett’s Settlement on Phillipp’s Location. They lived there till 1811, when they sold to Tewalt SWARTS and moved within the present limits of Dundee. Subsequently they moved to Illinois. Their children were Marian, Eliza, Christopher, Catharine, Eleanor, Delilah and Garrett.
Marian born in 1803, married in Illinois.
Eliza born in 1805, was the wife of Levi FRENCH, son of Benjamin FRENCH.
Christopher born in 1807, married Margaret, daughter of Conrad BOGER, and finally moved to Bath. Their children are Isabella, Levi, Matilda, Janett and Hester Ann. Matilda married Stephen THOMAS of Savona and lives in Milo. They have a son, Eddie.
Catharine born in 1809, married Milton COYKENDALL, who died in Starkey. Their children were Mary, Sarah and Emma. They live at Battle Creek, Michigan.
Eleanor born in 1810, married Nathan STEVENS of Bath and died in 1865. He too is dead, leaving a son, William, who is a printer at the Chronicle Office, Penn Yan.
Delilah born in 1813, married Raymond BOOTH, brother of Gifford J. BOOTH, founder of the Dundee Record. She died in 1866 at Lyons, Iowa, leaving two children, Jerome and Lina.
Garrett born in 1815, married Betsey WALROUT. They have two children, Addison and Ellen and live in Steuben county.
Melvin SCHECK’S first wife died in 1818. He married a second wife, Anna SPROWLS (widow LONGCOR) and they had three children, Sally Ann, Melvin and Rachel.
Sally Ann born in 1819, married Mr. ELLIOTT in Illinois. Melvin married Sarah, daughter of James B. LANNING. They live at Pikes Peak, Colorado. Rachel born in 1823, married Mr. GOODENOUGH, in Illinois.
Melvin SCHENECK died at 71 yeas, and his wife the same year at aged 69 years. He was one of the school teachers of the early days and taught school winters for many years.
David SEMANS was a son of David SEMANS and Sarah CHANCE, his wife and was born in Kent county, Maryland in 1787. His father was of English ancestry, his grandfather being William SEMANS and his grandmother, Letitia CLAYTON. They were wealthy planters and slave owners. David SEMANS Jr.,, spent his early life near the boundary line of Delaware and Maryland till about 1813. His mother died in 1797, and his father in 1808. He had a second wife, Rebecca GREENWOOD and they had a son, Greenwood. By the first marriage the children were Leititia, David, Rachel, Clayton and Tabitha. Letitia and Rachel married and remained in their native state. David SEAMANS married first, Sally JONES of Delaware, and before he left Maryland, married a second wife, Mary, sister of John STARKEY. In 1813, David with his wife and one child, And Clayton and Tabitha, came to Ovid, now Lodi, along with John STARKEY, who had returned to Maryland after them. John STARKEY’S sister, Elizabeth, was also one of the company, and was Haley MOFFITT. They brought with them three slaves and two free colored persons. David and Clayton SEMANS owned a farm in Lodi, together. Clayton moved to Reading in 1817, built the Red Mill at Dundee, and was in trade there one year with John STARKEY. In 1819, after selling the mil to Thomas RAPLEE, he moved back to Lodi, nad remained there a farmer till 1845, when he moved West. He is now a resident of Marysville, MO., and a man of wealth and intelligence. He married while a resident of Starkey, then Reading, Sally, daughter of Joshua WYCKOFF. They were married by Rev. Loring GRANT in Reading. She died in 1870. They had two sons, Clovis C. and Lawrence. Tabitha married Michael BIGGS, long and well known as one of the foremost citizens of Lodi. They had ten children. Their oldest daughter, Mary, is the wife of William H. GOODWIN, D.D., of the East Genesee Conference. Emily, another daughter, married Jehiel H. MONTGOMERY, who was a merchant of the firm of Royce & Montgomery, at Shannontown in 1842-3. Greenwood SEMANS was brought to Reading, by his brother, David, who went after him in 1819. He was a hatter at Eddytown, and married Eliza, daughter of Andrew KINGIN. They moved West, and their children are William, Rebecca and Ann.
David SEMANS moved to Reading in 1818, settling on lot 8, of the Potter Location, and buying the land of Peter WALLING. He lived there till well advanced in years. He was a Justice of the Peace, and a prominent citizen, taking an active part in all public questions. Recently he has resided at Himrods. His wife died in 1870. She was a woman of rare excellence of character. Their children are: Mary B., William S., Clayton, Nelson, Matilda, John E., Tilden, Emily A., Sarah and Ben J.
Mary B. was born in 1812 in Maryland, and is the wife of James M. LEWIS of Milo.
William S., born in 1814, married Ann, daughter of Thomas RAPLEE. He has been a merchant and Justice of the Peace at Himrods, and is now a grain buyer there. They have a daughter, Mary. He was formerly a captain in the 206th Regiment.
Clayton born in 1816, married Hannah, daughter of Henry HUNT. He is a farmer, now resident in Torrey, formerly in Milo, and a man of intelligence and decided convictions. Their children are Mary, Frank, Henry and Fred.
Nelson, born in 1818, married Hannah, daughter of William R. BRIGGS. He is a prosperous farmer. Their children are William D., Byron, Mittie, Cora D. and Carlton (twins).
Matilda born in 1820, married John C. WILSON, now of St. Charles, Kane Co., Illinois. Their children are: Walter, John E., Janett, Albert, David and Jesse F.
John e. and Sarah live single with their father at Himrods.
Tilden, born in 1822, married Ellen JENNISON. She died leaving a daughter, Velnette. He resides on the old homestead farm.
Emily A., born in 1825, married robber F. CONKLIN, a farmer of Milo. They have a daughter, Frank, wife of Tehodore ROSS.
Ben J. born in 1831, married Loretta BATES and lives in Starkey.
SEARS
pg 917 – 919
John SEARS was a native of Washington, Conn., the son of a sea captain. He was apprenticed to a miller and attended a tide mill at his native place. He was three times married before he settled near Eddytown in 1802. His second wife was Prudence HURD of Sandgate, VT, and his third wife was Deborah, daughter of Mark ROYCE, who was an early settler on the east side of Seneca Lake, and an uncle of Matthew ROYCE. His children were all born of his first and third marriages. In 1806, he built a mill, the first in Starkey, half a mile east of Eddytown. He left Starkey in 1812 and died in Tyrone in 1821. The children by his first marriage were Olive, Fanny, Anna, Phebe and John; by the third marriage, Lewis, Harley, Sheldon, Sarah, Andrew, Rebecca and Ann Maria.
Olive was the wife of Peter GABRIEL and Fanny and Anna married and remained in Sandgate, VT.
Phebe married De Laumy LOOMER. They came to Starkey with her father and resided there many years.
John married Massey, daughter of William BEARD and returned finally to Sandgate, VT.
Lewis was drowned in Seneca Lake in April 1812 at the age of nearly 20 years.
Harley married Cynthia KNICKERBOCKER, widow of Sylvester P. PHILLIPS, who was killed in battle in the War of 1812. They lived in Tyrone and their children were Lucina, Jerusha and Lester.
Sheldon married Patience, daughter of Thomas BENNETT. They finally moved west. Their children were Alonzo, Caleb and William. Alonzo lives in Bath. Caleb and William were Union Soldiers during the Rebellion. William perished in the service and Caleb lives in Oregon.
Sarah married Amasa A. FRENCH.
Andrew SEARS married Anna BENNETT, a sister of Sheldon’s wife. They live west and their children are Irene, Jackson, Maria, Phebe, Mary, Jane and John.
Rebecca (dau of John SEARS) born in 1806, married in 1821, Loren GLEASON, who was born in 1802. They were married by Richard LANNING, Justice of the Peace. He was a son of John GLEASON, who started the first ferry across the Lake, and was succeeded by John Goodwin. Rebecca and her husband are still living in Wayne, and their children are Edward, Arrilla, Louisa, John s., William ,S, Mary and Martha J.
Ann Maria married Noble WHITE, a gunsmith at
Eddytown and a very ingenious man. They
had a son, Noble, and finally moved west.
Deborah, third wife of John SEARS, died in 1851 at Italy Hill.
In April 1812, Thomas L. TERRY, a school teacher married Anna, daughter of Mark ROYCE, living east of the lake. During their honeymoon they visited Eddy’s Settlement in company with Isaiah GIBSON, a Revolutionary Captain. On their return, they invited Lewis SEARS to go with them. When about a third of the distance across, TERRY being intoxicated, upset the boat, as was believed. All were drowned, except TERRY, who was rescued by John SEARS Sr., who saw the calamity.
One of the most noted and prominent citizens of Starkey was James L. SEELY, who was born at Cochecton, NY, Jan 1, 1801. He was a son of James L. SEELY Sr. and Mary BAILEY, his wife. His mother died when he was 8 years old, and he was taken in charge by a maiden aunt, Temperance BAILEY. She became blind when he was 18 years and was thereafter supported by him, till her death, many years later.
In his earlier life he was a farmer, and acquired by night study, by the light of pine knots, education sufficient to make him a school teacher. In 1828 he came to Eddytown, where he taught school, and studied law at the same time with James TAYLOR. He also taught in Penn Yan and pursued his legal studies with Roderick N. MORRISON. He taught schools in Barrington and Tyrone and practiced law at the latter place with Henry ARNOLD. He concluded his studies with Evert VAN BUREN in Penn Yan and before 1835 had been admitted to practice in the Common Pleas. At a later period he was admitted to practice in the Supreme Court. In 1833 he became a resident of Dundee, and there he remained till 1868, and industrious practitioner of the law. He was a good lawyer, and his advice was much relied on by his clients. His practice was large and his success in his profession was grounded on his sincerity of character and his thorough knowledge of the principles of the law. His ability as a lawyer was manifested by the soundness and excellence of his legal papers, and the force of his arguments on legal questions. He had high standing in the Whig party; was its candidate for Member of assembly in 1849, for County Judge in 1851, for Presidential Elector in 1852, and for Member of Congress in 1854. He married in 1836, Maria, daughter of Francis LITTLE and Catharine WINFIELD, his wife. She died in 1867, at aged 55 years. Their children were Marcus T., Valencourt, James L. and Mary M.
Marcus T., born in 1838, is a lawyer in Dundee. He married in 1858, Lydia A., daughter of Benjamin B. BEEKMAN. Their children are Cornelia A., Harriet E. and Elizabeth A.
Valencourt born in 1840, married in 1864, Rachel GOLDEN and lives at Watkins. Their children are Frederick, Maria and Emma.
James L. born in 1844, married in 1865, Cornelia, daughter of Rev. N. N. BEERS, and has a second wife, Julia REDDINGTON. They have a son, James L.
Mary M., born in 1854, lives single with her father and her brother, James L., in the Shenandoah Valley, Virginia.
Francis LITTLE came from Ulster
county in 1804, settled at the place afterwards known as Harpending’s Corners
and owned 50 acres on the northwest corner.
He lived in Dundee and died in 1841 at 69 years.
His wife died in 1851 at 72 years. Their
children were: Isaac, John, Eliza, Alexander, Pamelia, Selah T., Maria, Wesley,
Harriet and Barclay. Eliza married
first, Russel HAIR and was the second wife of Nehemiah RAPLEE.
Pamelia, born in 1808, married James P. HAZZARD, whom she survives.
Maria was the wife of James L. SEELY.
Harriet was the wife of Abraham YOST.
John LITTLE, born in 1800, married Eunice SUTPHEN, and still lives in
Dundee. Their children were Russel,
Sally, Catharine, John II, William and James H.
William ALEXANDER was born in Dublin.
His wife was Elizabeth TERWILLIGER (widow of Peter WINFIELD).
They came from Ulster county in 1815 and settled on the place since known
as the Judson MILLARD farm, near Dundee. He
died in 1844 at 88 years; his wife in 1839 at 85 years.
She was the mother by her first marriage of Mrs. Francis LITTLE.
William ALEXNADER was a exemplary member of the Presbyterian Church.
Abraham VAN GORDEN settled in 1807 on
a part of Francis LITTLE’S lot. He
was also from Ulster county and his wife was Polly TERWILLIGER, a sister of Mrs.
William ALEXANDER. They died in
advanced years. Their children were
Catharine, Betsey, Cornelia and Ann.
Josiah WINFIELD and Margaret, his wife, came to the same neighborhood with his step-father, William ALEXANDER. His wife died early and he went elsewhere, leaving four children, Alexander, Stephen, Amanda and Eliza. Alexander and Amanda were adopted by William ALEXANDER and Stephen and Eliza by Mrs. (Eliza) Russell HAIR (dau of Francis LITTLE). Alexander married Mary, daughter of John COLE and finally moved to Michigan. Amanda married first Calvin HONEY an early merchant in Dundee. She has now a third husband and lives in Campbelltown. Stephen married Miss MILLER, and lives near Havana. Eliza married John A. CARMICHAEL, a substantial citizen of Starkey. They have a son Charles.
Isaac P. SEYMOUR, son of Truman SEYMOUR and Zabiah PACKARD, his wife, was born in 1795 in Albany, NY. He was before his majority, nine years a clerk for Joseph PACKARD, an uncle who was a merchant at Johnstown, NY. At 21, he came to Geneva, where he was a clerk for William s. DE ZENG and afterwards for Septimus EVANS. He opened a store at Eddytown in 1819, on the same spot where James HUNTINGTON afterwards had a store many years. In this store, J. J. PEASE was the predecessor of Isaac P. SEYMOUR. In 1821 he was married by Rev. Joseph CRAWFORD, to Ann, sister of Joshua MAPES. About 1824, after suspending business as a merchant, he kept a public house for a short time. During 18 successive years he held the office of Justice of the Peace, and engaged in various callings, during a long lifetime. He died in 1871. He was unexcelled as a salesman, clerk and accurate businessman, and his penmanship was strikingly beautiful and excellent. As a citizen he was a model of uprightness and candor, and during half a century was a consistent member of the Presbyterian Church. His wife survives him. Their children were, James O., Elizabeth M., Maria H., Henrietta H., Hiland R., Harriet and Robert P.
James O., born in 1823, married in 1851, Sarah A. FRYER of Watkins. He has several years been superintendent of the Central Railway Station at Waterloo, NY
Elizabeth M., born in 1825, married Lewis HUSTED, son of Daniel HSUTED. They reside in Chicago and have a son, William.
Maria H., born in 1828, married in 1857, Samuel N. ANTHONY, present postmaster at Geneva. She died leaving a daughter, Libbie.
Henrietta H., born in 1830, resides single with her mother at Dundee.
Hiland R. born in 1833 married Adella ROBBINS of Watkins. Their children are Louis, Archibald, Washington J., Nettie and one other.
Harriet born in 1839, died in 1861.
Robert P. born in 1844, married Alzada,
daughter of Joel WIXSON of Wayne. He
died at Wayne in 1866.
Daniel SHANNON was born in Sussex Co. NJ in 1767 and there married Elizabeth WADE, born in 1771. She died in New Jersey in 1800, leaving five children, Noadiah, John C., Eunice, Polly and Thomas. He married in 1800, a second wife, Lydia, daughter of James RAPLEE Sr. She was born in 1782. In 1806 they came to Reading, now Starkey, and settled at the mouth of Indian Run, buying of Simeon POTTER, 246 acres for $431. The net year they bought 60 acres for $370. In 1817 they bought 500 acres, including the south halves of lots 10 and 26, of the Potter Location. They then moved a short distance west from the Lake where they remained through life. He erected on Indian Run, a grist mill, sawmill, ashery and distillery; and afterwards at Shannon’s Corners, he built a sawmill and clothing works. The clothing works have been changed into a grist mill, which remains in operation to the present day. He also built a sawmill and clothing works on Big Stream, now known as the Union Mills, at Dundee. He was also largely engaged in boating on Seneca Lake and the Seneca and Mohawk rivers, previous to the construction of the Erie Canal. He built 24 boats for this lake and river navigation and was afterwards interested in Canal navigation. In New Jersey he was a merchant and also a millwright. He conducted a large business and was a valuable man in the early period of the country. He died in 1851 at 84 years. His second wife died in 1854 at 74 years. The children by the second marriage were Daniel, Elizabeth, George W., James, Robert L., Mark, Henry N., Harrison, Joshua L., Lydia, William, Sally and Samuel B.
Noadiah, the oldest of Daniel SHANNON’S children, born in 1788, married Sally LITTLE in New Jersey. The lived first on the 60 acres forming the second purchase made in Starkey by his father, afterwards near Shannon’s Corners, and later moved to Lodi, sold his farm there to John STARKEY, and finally died in Hector, at aged 55 years. His children were William, Daniel, Thomas, Jefferson, Lydia, Emily, Clayton, Loretta, Elizabeth, Philinda, Elmira, Martha and Lewis M. None of these reside in Yates county, except Martha. She married Tewalt WALLING of Starkey. They reside on a part of the SHANNON homestead. Thomas J., born in 1810, married Jane DUNN. They had a large family, one of whom, Lewis, married Huldah, sister of Emery MC LOUD of Starkey and resides on a part of the SHANNON homestead.
John C., born in 1791, married Anna, sister of Clarkson MARTIN, born in 1801. In 1816 he and Timothy HURD and Richard LANNING bought of Wilkes & Simond, merchants of New York, 180 acres of land on Big Stream, about a mile and half below Dundee. There he resided through life, owning the stone mill. In 1826 he was killed by his team and wagon, falling off the bank of the ravine into the mill pond of Timothy HURD, on the Eddytown road. He was a man of enterprise and likely character. His wife died in 1839. Their children were, Sarah, Peter C., Samuel W. and John C. Sarah married James HOLDEN of Starkey, and died in 1841 at 22, leaving a daughter, Sarah. Peter C. died single in 1847, at aged 25 years. Samuel W. died at 20 years in 1843. John C. born in 1825, married in 1847, Mary Ann, daughter of Samuel CONKLIN. She was born in 1827. They own and reside on his paternal homestead. Their children are Samuel W. and Mary E.
Eunice, born in 1793, married Henry OSMAN, son of Daniel OSMAN, who was born in 1783 in New Jersey and came to this country in 1807. They resided on lot 8 of Watson’s Purchase, about half a mile west of Rock Stream. He died in 1855 and she is still living on the old homestead, in vigorous enjoyment of her natural powers. Their children were Betsey, Roxa, Matilda, Harriet, Daniel S., Emily, Lydia, Sally, Ann, Henry H., John W. and Hettie. Daniel S. married Fanny, daughter of James H. CARMICHAEL, and resides on the OSMAN homestead. John W. married Celinda DAVIDSON, and resides near the old homestead. They have a daughter, Adella. The daughters are chiefly married and reside out of the county.
Polly born in 1795, married John W. BIGELOW.
Thomas born in 1797, married Mehetable CORWIN of Starkey. They resided at Millport, where she died. He has been thrice married since. The children by the first marriage were Nehemiah, Fanny, Sally A., Eunice, Mark, George, Parshall and Noadiah.
Daniel born in 1802, married Elizabeth JENNINGS of Ovid. They have always resided at Shannon’s Corners where he has accumulated a good estate as a farmer and businessman. Their children are Lydia, John, Alletta, Almeda, Marinda and Maranda (twins). Lydia marred Seeley BAILEY of Tyrone. They reside at Eddytown and have four children, Emma, Addie, Olivia and Alletta. John was killed a young man, by the kick of a horse. Alletta is the wife of William L. SHARP. Almeda and Maranda are single. Marinda married Clark M. SHARP. They have one child, Daniel Shannon SHARP.
Elizabeth, born in 1804, married William ELLIS. They reside in Dundee and have three children, Martha, Henry S. and Daniel. Martha married Peleg BRIGGS of Starkey. Henry S. married Keziah, daughter of Ira RAPLEE. Daniel married Miss BARTHOLOMEW, and has a second wife, also one child by his first marriage.
George W. born in 1806, married Eliza WILKINS of Milo. They lived in Starkey many years and finally settled near Penn Yan, on the VAN PELT place. They had one daughter, Mary A. She married Edwin S. MORRIS of Penn Yan. They settled at Newburg, Indiana, where he died in 1869, leaving two children, Luella and George. The family now resides in Penn Yan. George W. SHANNON married a second wife, Mary GOULD, widow. They have a daughter, Lillie A. Mrs. SHANNON had two daughters by her first marriage, Adella E. and Mary E. GOULD. Adella E. is the wife of William C. TRACY, Penn Yan. Mr. SHANNON is a thrifty farmer, a member of the Baptist Church and an exemplary citizen.
James born in 1808, married Susan M., daughter of Joseph C. LEWIS. They settled east of Dundee and she died in 1836. He married a second wife, Elizabeth, daughter of Abia KETCHUM. They live now at Crystal Spring in Barrington. The children by the first marriage are Marinda, Lewis, Henry, Myron, Minerva, John and Martha; by the second, Byron and Calista. Marinda married James LOSEY of Starkey. They have a daughter, Lillie. Lewis married Caroline, daughter of Horace WINFIELD. They live in Michigan. Their children are Susan, Caroline, Mary, and a son. Henry married and resides in Colorado. Myron was a Union soldier, and suffered greatly as a prisoner at Andersonville. He resides in Nevada. Minerva married Michael B., son of Lewis MISNER. They moved to Wisconsin. He was a Union captain and serves well in the war. They have two children. John was also a Union solider, serving out two enlistments. Martha married George SMITH of Dundee and died in California. Calista married Theodore HOWELL of Barrington. Byron is single.
Robert L. born in 1812, married Abigail, daughter of James PERRY. They lived many years in Starkey and now reside at Honeoye, NY.
Henry N., born in 1814, married Huldah, daughter of William R. BRIGGS. They reside in Tyrone and have five children, Augusta, Addie, Jamie, Emmet and Daniel.
Harrison born in 1816, married Maridina, daughter of Joseph C. LEWIS. They reside in Starkey, where he has accumulated a good estate as a farmer. She died leaving a daughter, Mary.
Joshua L., born in 1818, is a bachelor residing at Wayne.
Lydia born in 1820, married Jarvis BAILERY of Tyrone, where he died leaving a daughter, Arminda. She married a second husband, Mr. BEACH of Dansville. Arminda married Henry BREWSTER of Dansville and lives at St. Paul, Minnesota.
William born in 1822, married Martha, daughter of Levi W. ELLIS, of Starkey, and widow of his brother, Samuel B. He is the present owner and keeper of the hotel at the village of Wayne. He is a man remarkable for generosity and kindness of heart.
Sally born in 1824, married William ELLIS. They reside in West Bloomfield, Ontario Co. Their children are Alice, Samuel and Miners.
Samuel B., born in 1828, married Martha
ELLIS and died early of apoplexy.
Anthony SHARP was a son of Jacob SHAP, a native of Germany, and was born in Morris county, New Jersey. He married Patience, daughter of Christopher CASE, whose wife was a sister of Isaiah YOUNGS, one of the early setters of Milo. Patience was born in 1784. They came to the Lake country in 1825 and settled on 65 acres of land on lots 5 and 6 of the tenth section of Watson’s purchase, which they bought of Charles O’NIEL. This with 22 acres more subsequently purchased of James and Charles O’NEIL, on lots 3 and 4, ninth section of Watson’s tract, comprised their homestead on which they lived and died. They were good people of the Presbyterian faith. She died in 1844 and he in 1848, at 75 years. Their children were Christopher S., Stephen, Ann, Calvin, Benjamin H., John, Catharine, William L., Lydia, Ambrose and Clark M.
Christopher S., born in 1804, married Delilah, daughter of Samuel CHAMBERS. Their children are Jane, Celinda, Mary and Martha (twins), Julia, Alice and Edna. Jane married Franklin MITCHELL. They live in Dundee and their children are Frederick and John. Celinda married Robert ROBSON of Barrington. They have a daughter, Lena. Martha is the second wife of James SPICER. Mary married Nelson FOWLER. They live in Stillwater (Saratoga Co.), NY and have two children, Helen and Hiram. Julia, Alice and Edna reside single at Rock Stream.
Stephen born in 1806, married Susan, daughter of Henry MIZNER. They live in Starkey where he is a prosperous farmer and have a daughter ,Eliza, who is the wife of Martin J. SUNDERLIN.
Ann born in 1808, was the second wife of Lyman JOHNSON, whom she survives, residing on his homestead.
Benjamin H. born in 1813 died in 1830 and John born in 1816 died in 1846.
Catharine born in 1818, married John W. MC ALPINE of Benton. They reside in Reading.
William L. born in 1820, married in 1853, Alletta, daughter of Daniel SHANNON. She was born in 1830. William L. SHARP was trained a clerk by Larmon G. TOWNSEND, and was subsequently several years a partner in business with Charles W. BARNES at Rock Stream. He has since lived and still resides on the Andrew G. MARSHALL homestead at Rock Stream. He was Supervisor of Starkey in 1859 and 1860 and is a prominent influential citizen. In June 1867, it was his fortune to escape from a great peril to his life, which occurred by the fall of the Big Stream Bridge on the Eddytown road. He and two men, Thomas THOMPSON and Thomas POWERS were driving a farm team with a wagon across the bridge, leading their horses behind, when it went down, making a precipitate crash of 30 feet. One horse was instantly killed and two others seriously injured; but strange to say the men were little injured, Mr. SHARP being somewhat bruised, and two of the horses unhurt.
Ambrose born in 1824, lives single on a farm near Rochester.
Clark M., born in 1828, married Marinda,
daughter of Daniel SHANNON. They
reside on the Hiram NEWCOMB homestead, and have one son, Daniel S.
John SHOEMAKER was a native of Columbia County, NY, and his wife was Anna LAMPHIER, whom he married when she was 16 years old. They settled in 1804, on the farm in Bennett’s Settlement, afterwards occupied by Melvin SCHENK, still later by Tewalt SWARTS and now by the grandson of the latter, William C. SWARTS. They moved thence a few years later to the farm now known as the Calvin HUSON place, later still to the Daniel RAPLEE place on lot 6 in Barrington, afterward traded wit Daniel RAPLEE for the Teeples tavern and farm on the Bath road and finally owned the Oliver PARKER farm on lot 27, in Barrington, where he died in 1859, at 91 years.
His wife survived him till 1865, dying at 93 years. Their children were Godfrey, Polly, John, Daniel D., Lamitta, Eleanor, Isaac, Ryreson, Ann, Smith and Asher. Lamitta became the wife of John F. HAVENS of Barrington. They live in Bradford, where he is a prominent citizen. He was formerly a Justice of the Peace in Barrington. Their children are James, Eliza A., DeWitt, Lorenzo D. and Alonzo. Eliza A., married Caleb LEGG a wagon maker of Dundee and their children are Ida, Kitty and John.
Smith SHOEMAKER born in 1816. married in 1839, Catharine BIDDLEMAN. She was born in 1816. He learned the trade of wagon maker of James COOLEY in Penn Yan and pursued his vocation many years in Dundee, accumulating a fine estate. He has now one of the finest residences in Dundee, located at the head of Washington St. He also owns his father’s homestead on lot 27, in Barrington. Their children are John H., James M., and Lamitta. John H., born in 1840, married in 1862, Emma, daughter of David E. BEDELL. They live in Elmira and have a daughter, Zena. James Monroe born in 1842, married in 1961, Delia, daughter of Lewis BENEDICT of Starkey. They have a son, Guy. Lamitta born in 1845, married in 1865, Le Grand TERRY. They live in Dundee and have a son, Arthur. James M. SHOEMAKER and Le grand GERRY are partners and successors of Smith SHOEMAKER in the manufacture of carriages. James M. SHOEMAKER was a Union solider of the 148th NYV. John H. SHOEWMAKER and Le Grand TERRY were also Union soldiers.
The remaining descendants of the elder John
SHOEMAKER reside beyond the limits of Yates County.
Samuel SHOEMAKER was a native of New Jersey and settled within the limits of Bennett’s Settlement before 1806. He was one of the first assessors elected in the old town of Reading. He left the town many years ago.
Alonzo SIMMONS was a son of Shubael SIMMONS and Anna WALES, his wife, and was born in 1798 at Whitehall, NY. He came to Dundee in 1824 with Calvin HONEY and they started a store where the store of William B. HAMLIN now stands. The store was built for them by Samuel HARPENDING in 60 days, and was the first store built on the corners. All previous stores had been built south, nearer Big Stream Creek. In 1825 a Post Office was established at Dundee and Samuel HARPENDING was appointed Postmaster. The office was kept in Honey & Simmon’s store and Mr. SIMMONS was Deputy Postmaster. The firm dissolved and HONEY bought out the store of Samuel KRESS Jr., which stood where the Presbyterian Church now stands. The store was the one recited by Joshua WYCKOFF for John STARKEY and was moved there from its original location. Nehemiah RAPLEE being appointed Postmaster moved the office to Honey’s store, where it was kept till HONEY failed. Isaac KRESS was a clerk for Honey & Simmons. In 1831 Alonzo SIMMONS moved to Rock Stream, built a store there and remained in business till 1842. He then sold to Samuel H. STAFFORD and Thomas ROSS, and moved to Reading Center, where he now resides. He has been a competent and successful businessman and has accumulated a goodly estate. He is a man of commendable character. He married in 1827, Anna, daughter of Nathaniel HUSON Sr. They were married by Rev. Samuel WHITE. Their children are Mary Susan, Charles, Laura E. and George.
Mary S. born in 1829, married Charles W. BARNES.
Charles born in 1831, married first in 1852, Amelia GRAHAM and has a second wife, Nancy ROSS, of Horseheads, whom he married in 1856. He is a farmer in Reading.
Laura born in 1834, resides single with her parents.
George born in 1836, married in 1860, Louisa, daughter of Francis CRANDALL. He is a hardware merchant at Watkins in company with Edwin D. TOMPKINS.
Susanna, Charlotte, sisters and George W. SIMMMONS, a brother of Alonzo SIMMONS, were also residents of Yates county. Susanna born in 1801, died in Starkey. Charlotte born in 1806, resides at Rock Stream.
George W., born in 1809, came to this county at 14 years. His wife was Deborah, daughter of Gilbert HATHAWAY Sr. She was born in 1811. They were married in 1832 and she died in Dresden in 1850. He married in 1851 a second wife, Caroline M., daughter of John BOGART. She was born in 1830. Their children were Anna R., and Hattie A. He died at Dresden in 1858. she moved to Independence, Iowa, there married a second husband, Rev. William HUNTER, and they have a son, William.
Jacob SMITH was a native of Kinderhook, NY and died in Starkey in 1834, in his 82nd year. He married in Orange Co., Jane SEARS. In 1797 they settled between the Cayuga and Seneca Lakes. Somewhere about 1820 they settled in Shannontown, buying a farm of Noadiah SHANON. There his wife died at 73 years, in 1829. He was a man of wealth. Their children were Rachel, Elizabeth, Rhoda, John J., Margaret, Joseph, Mary, Bridget, Jacob and Jane.
Rachel married Hugh HULSE. They lived in Starkey many years. She died in 1849 in Illinois. Their descendants are all West.
Elizabeth married George DUNN and they lived and died in Hector. Their children were Polly and Martin. Polly born in 1799, married in 1818, Dennis O’NIEL, who was born in 1796. They have lived in and near Dundee. He died in 1865 and she still resides there. They were persons well and favorably known to all the older residents. They were the foster parents of his nephew, Albert O’NIEL and Nancy TERRILL. Albert married Mary WAFER. They have moved West and have two children, Harriet and Dennis. Nancy is the wife of martin BEAM. Martin DUNN was a physician and practiced his profession some time in Dundee. His wife was Lucinda, daughter of Elder FAIRBANKS. They live in Illinois.
Rhoda married first, William CHANDLER and second, Harvey CLEMONS. They lived in Starkey. The children by the first marriage were Catharine and Belinda; by the second, one son, Sears.
John J. married Nancy, daughter of Thomas CLARK, whose wife, Elizabeth, was a sister of Rachel and Margaret MALIN. He was a solider in the War of 1812, afterwards became a colonel of cavalry and was always known as Col. SMITH. He became a resident of this county as early as 1813, living first at Hopeton and afterwards in Starkey. They lived for a time a little east of Dundee, on the place long afterward the home of his son, David SMITH. Afterwards he built the brick tavern directly east of Dundee, were fro some years the mason held their lodge, until the Morgan excitement broke them up. Still later he bought the Jacob HACKET farm in Dundee. At a later period he kept the tavern at the Ellis stand in Dundee. His wife receiving a farm in Jerusalem form Rachel MALIN, her aunt, on lot 22 of Guernsey’s Survey; they erected a new house there, where she died about 1840. He afterwards moved to Illinois and died there about 1860. He had a second wife, Percis, sister of Miles and William MARINER, who survives him. The children by his first marriage were David, Thomas, C., Jacob, Lewis, John J. and Dennis. All these are West, except David, whose line is mentioned with the PLUMMERS and John J., who is a merchant at Watkins.
Mary, born in 1709 was married in 1806, Amos ELLIS. (an obvious mistype of dates)
Jacob born in 1796, married in 1817, Julia SWEEGLES. She was born in 1794. they lived in Starkey at an early period. Their children were Stout and Benson. Stout, born 1820, married Susan Ann, sister of Jonathan TAYLOR of Barrington. They live in Starkey on the old Griffin B. HAZARD farm and have two children, Omar and Julia. Benson SMITH born in 1825, married in 1844, Jemima HALLOCK of Tyrone. He is one of the proprietors of the Crystal Spring House in Barrington and has been Supervisor of that town.
Jane married in 1816, James SUTPHEN Jr.
They live in Milo.
Reuben SMITH came to Hector (now in Schuler County) in 1794 and his brother Grover, the following year. They were natives of Salisbury, Conn. Reuben SMITH and his wife Hannah SWIFT, his sons Jabez, Harry, Caleb and Chauncey W., and his daughter Amanda, afterwards wife of peter HAGER, settled on Military Lot 20, at Peach Orchard. These were all heads of noted families of Hector, except Harry, who became a citizen of Reading at an early date. Grover SMITH settled in 1795 on Military Lot 21, adjoining his brother. His wife was Lydia, sister of Enoch KELSEY. Reuben SMITH his oldest son, and but 19 years his junior, married first in Connecticut, Mary SMITH, and had a second wife, Anna COGSWELL (widow WEBSTER). He was a lawyer of note and both died quite aged at Peach Orchard. They had two daughters, Caroline and Mary Ann. Caroline was the wife of Aaron HANLEY of Peach Orchard, and Mary Ann was the wife of Dr. Moses TOMPKINS, long a resident at Peach Orchard, and now of Ohio. Other children of Grover SMITH were William, Richard and Mary C. William married Mary WARNER. Le Moine S. SMITH, editor of the Grand Haven (Mich.) Union, is his son. Richard SMITH was a first Judge at Tompkins County. He married first Patience HINMAN and second, Maria A., daughter of Enoch KELSEY. His youngest child by the first marriage was Louisa P., second wife of David LACY of Starkey. Mary C. was the first wife of Nash SAWYER.
Richard SMITH related among the early incidents of their residence in Hector, when all the land was a continuous forest, that one still morning he heard the sound of a cow bell across the Lake, and informed the family there must be settlers on the other side. Soon after, William EDDY made his appearance on that side, and made their acquaintance. Frequent visits were thereafter interchanged.
Harry SMITH, born in 1779, married Belinda, daughter of Capt. WARNER, a sea captain, and a sister of Mary, wife of William SMITH. About 1803 they took up their residence east of eddy Settlement, in a log house on the road to the mill of John SEARS. Later they moved on the place now occupied by Seeley BAILEY, and built in 1817 the large mansion still standing on the premises, and afterwards occupied by David LACY. HE was a active man and a very prominent citizen. In 1812 he was U.S. Collector of Internal Revenue (24th district). He was long a Justice of the Peace and Deputy Sheriff and held many other offices. He was nick-named “Black Harry SMITH,”, his complexion being quite dark. He was of heavy build and commanding appearance. About 1825 they moved back to Hector, and finally moved to Pennsylvania, and thence to Rockford, Illinois, where he died in 1865. His wife died still earlier. Their children were Amanda, Semantha, Harrison, Harry, Charlotte and Melinda.
Jabez, the oldest son of the elder Reuben SMITH, born in 1777, married Betsey, daughter of Richard ELY Sr., and was the father of an important family in Hector.
Caleb, born in 1782, is still living, and
also the father of a large and important family.
His son, Dr. Amos B. SMITH is the proprietor of the Geneva Hygienic
Institute. Chauncey W. is also still alive in
Hector.
The father of Dr. Henry SPENCE was John SPENCE, a native of Ireland, his mother, Rachel ROBERTS, and they were married in Pennsylvania in 1794. She was a native of Philadelphia. They had six children born in Pennsylvania, William W., Amy, John R., Henry, Isabella and Mary. In 1800 they settled in what is now Lodi, directly opposite the present residence of Dr. Byron SPENCE in Starkey. Henry, born in 1800 was the only member of the family that became a resident of Yates county. In early life he was a teacher in Lodi. He studied the medical profession with Dr. Claudius C. COAN, and received his diploma in 1823, from the college of Physicians and Surgeons in New York. He came soon after to this count and boarded in the family of Russel A. HUNT of Milo, where he commenced his practice. In 1824 he married Patty, daughter of Allen BOARDMAN and Phebe, his wife, of Covert, Seneca county. The same year he bought of Samuel LOOMER 100 acres of land on lot 10 of the Potter location, for $1750, which was thereafter their homestead. He added to this farm in after years 263 acres, forty of which he bought of Samuel BAYLES, 94 of Esther BRIGGS and the rest was the Jacob SMITH farm. Dr. SPENCE was a physician of eminence and widely extended practice, being often called for consultation in difficult cases far from his home. He was also an enterprising farmer and a skillful fruit culturist of large experience. He was a man of superior intelligence and liberal views, and a citizen of much worth and influence. In politics he always took an active interest, and was elected to the Assembly in 1841. In 1860 he was presented by the delegates of this county for the Republican Congressional nomination. He was a man of genial and kindly spirit and in social life was highly respected. He died in 1866. His first wife died in 1843 and he had a second wife, Elizabeth SHOEMAKER (widow DONLEY), who is still living. The children of Dr. SPENCE were all by the first marriage and their names are Byron, Flora and Riley.
Byron, born March 19, 1825, was one of the first students of Starkey Seminary and was educated a physician. He graduated at the New York University in 1850. He was a Union officer in one of the New York Regiments during the war of the Rebellion and is now a farmer and fruit grower on the old homestead, occupying the elegant cobble stone mansion, erected by his father in 1848. He married in 1863, Susan, daughter of Nathaniel K. BEASRSLEE. Their children are Henry, Thomas B. and Theodore.
Flora born in 1826, is the wife of Jeremiah S. JILLETT.
Riley born in 1835, resides with his brother, Byron.
The second wife of Dr. Henry SPENCE had two
daughters by her previous marriage, Augusta and Elizabeth (DONLEY). They were a few years members of the family of Dr. SPENCE.
Augusta married William MERCER, moved to Minnesota and died in 1863,
leaving three sons, William, Benjamin and Charles.
Elizabeth married Henry HARROWER, resides in Wilkes-Barre, PA and their
children are Levi, Carrie and Charles.
Allen BOARDMAN, the father of the first wife of Dr. SPENCE, was an early setter in Covert, and had a family of 10 children, Russel, Maria, Delia, Harry, Patty, Truman, Emily, Gertrude, Lucy and Douglass. Russel was a citizen of Barrington from whence he moved West. Delia was the wife of Gilbert HATHAWAY Jr., and resided many years in Barrington. The family is now West. Truman was elected to the State Senate form the 26th district, including Yates, Ontario and Seneca counties and held the office one term. Douglass is Justice of the Supreme Court in the 6th judicial district, residing in Ithaca.
Ezra SPINK was from Rhode Island, and settled very early southwest of Dundee, near the old Pre-emption Line. He was a nephew of Silas SPINK Sr., and came soon after him to the country and lives with him several years. He went back to Rhode Island and there married Mercy Ann HILL. They had two sons, George and Ezra, both of whom married daughters of Benjamin REYNOLDS. Ezra and his wife Martha inherit the homestead and have several children. George and his wife Elizabeth, had three children.
Samuel SPINK (NOT a relative of Ezra), was from Rhode Island, came to Wayne in 1823 and settled on the Pre-emption Line near Ezra SPINK, and it was thus called the Spink neighborhood. He died in 1845, at aged 71 years. His wife was Barbara LINDLEY, and she died at 93 years in 1863. Their children were Sarah Ann, Samuel, Thomas L., Nicholas and Charlotte T. Thomas L. married Ann, sister of Lewis CULVER. He died leaving eight children. Nicholas married Susan, daughter of Benjamin REYNOLDS and lives in the Spink neighborhood. Charlotte T. married John LORD.
Harvey G. STAFFORD, son of Henry STAFFORD and Polly GAY, his wife, was born in 1803 in Saratoga county. He came a clerk for Benjamin CHEEVER to Eddtyown in 1820, and served in that capacity six years, when he became a partner in the business. Finally buying out his partner, he conducted the trade on his own account many years, doing a large and prosperous business. He was also a stock and produce buyer, canal forwarder, and operator in many ways. He was an active, untiring businessman, highly useful to the community in which he lived. Leaving Eddtyown in 1847 he moved to Dundee, where he was engaged in trade with William B., HAMLIN and Charles H. MARTIN. He has besides had stores in other places and engaged in a variety of speculations, and for several years has been a banker at Dundee. He has been a man of great activity and energy and has preserved a good character for integrity and honorable dealing. During the military days he was a very sprightly and popular officer, and became colonel of the old 206th Regiment of Infantry. He married Eliza, daughter of Andrew BOOTH Jr. She was born in 1805. Their children are Marian, Harriet and Sophronia S.
Marian born in 1828, married in 1848, Charles H. MARTIN of Dundee. They live in Dundee and he is a member of the firm of Martin, Vosburgh & Co. They have a son, Eddie.
Harriet born in 1830, married Spencer S. RAPLEE.
Sophronia S. born in 1832, is single.
The man who gave his name to the town, the history of which we have now under consideration, was John STARKEY. He was the son of William STARKEY and Mary MOFFITT, his wife, and was born in Kent county, Maryland, May 21, 1788. In 1807 he came alone to Seneca county and wrought for some time in the distillery of Joshua WYCKOFF, in what is now, Lodi. In 1812 Mr. WYCOFF established a store at the south end of Bennett’s Settlement, in what is now Dundee, and sent STARKEY there as his partner to take charge of it. On the 18th of October,1813, he married Catharine, daughter of Joshua WYCKOFF. She was born in 1796. He continued in partnership with WYCKOFF about one year. After conducting his business alone till 1818, he took Clayton SEMANS into partnership. This firm existed one year, at the end of which eh sold the Abraham DE MOTT. Semans & De Mott continued one year, when that store was discontinued. John STARKEY moved to Reeder’s Corners, where he built a dwelling and store and the place has since been know as Starkey Corners. The store stood on the southwest corner, the dwelling on the northwest, and became the “Starkey Hotel,” long kept by Benjamin TUTHILL. STARKEY continued in business at that place until the autumn of 1828, when he removed to Lodi and settled on a farm he had purchased of Noadiah SHANNON. His failing health induced him to give up his business and retire to rural life. He died on consumption in 1829. John STARKEY was a prominent and leading citizen an early member of the Methodist Church and a man of character. A capable business man and active in his public duties, it is not strange that he was accorded the honor of giving his name to the new town when Reading was divided. He served several years as Justice of the Peace, and was Supervisor of the town when he moved away, Clarkson MARTIN being appointed to fill out his term. By his influence a Post Office was established at Starkey Corners, the first in the town. His early death was a serious public loss. Their children were: Wilmer W., Susan M., Nancy W., Mary and Maria.
Wilmer W., born in Ovid in 1814, became a physician. He studied his profession and taught school in Maryland. He married there in 1843, Sarah E. BOSEE. In 1848 he graduated at Geneva Medical College. He practiced his profession in Lodi three years, and in 1852 moved to Watkins, where he pursued his profession 14 years, dying in 1866. In his profession he held a good rank, and enjoyed a good practice. His wife died in 1855. In 1857 he married a second wife, Ruth A. WHITNEY. The children by the first marriage were John and William; by the second, Frank W. John is a physician and resides at Watkins. William is a fur merchant at Watkins.
Susan M. is the wife of Casper B. VESCELIUS, a prominent citizen of Lodi. Their only child, Emma, married C. P. WOODWORTH and has a son, Freddie.
Nancy W. married Ebenezer SKINNER of Lodi. They reside at North Reading and have a son, Edwin M.
Mary married Edwin C. ANDREWS. Maria died a young woman.
Salmon STILLSON was the first blacksmith at Eddytown. He was from Sandgate, VT and located there before 1806, on the spot where Isaac LANNING now lives and his shop was directly opposite the east side of the road. His children were Salmon, Andrew and Rebecca. Salmon Jr. was a blacksmith, and lived in a log house on the opposite corner from Isaac LANNING’S house, on the north side of the road. Rebecca born in 1791, married in 1808, Ransom HURD. He was born in 1786.
John STOUT was a native of New Jersey and
was a son of Samuel STOUT and Anna VAN KIRK, his wife.
He was born in 1797 and married in New Jersey, Sally, sister of Wilson
AYRES. She was five years his
senior and died in 1850, and he has a second wife, Rebecca CHRISJOHN (widow
BAILEY), born in 1811. He came a
hatter in 1818 to Milo Center, and wrought at his trade there for William J.
BROWN. He afterwards worked in Penn
Yan for Seeley & Brownell. Next
he went to Shannontown, wrought there at his trade 15 years on his own account,
and bought 30 acres of land there of Wilson AYRES.
He has lived there over 50 years, and now in 1872, says that all the men
now living on the Eddytown road when he moved there, are Isaac LANNING, Dr.
Walter WOLCOTT and himself. He is a
man of sterling traits of character. The
children by his first marriage were Elizabeth and Harriet N.
Elizabeth, born in 1823, married Jacob SWARTS.
Harriet N., born in 1832, married James, son of Aaron BEARD.
He was a blacksmith, formerly of Shannontown, now residing in Orange,
Schuyler County. Their children are
Ada, John, Myron, Frances and Charles.
Joseph STULL was a very early resident of Bennett’s Settlement. Others of whom the author can only mention the names, are as follows: Nicholas HAIR, Jonathan DAVIS, David BENNETT, Matthias J. HOUGTAILING, Joseph IRETON, John DAVIS, Joseph BELLAMY, Joel JONSON, Judah WEEKS, William BENNETT*, Henry ROGERS*, William CURRY, a clergyman, Morgan and Silas YOUNGS, Cyrenus BLODGET*, John MC CONNELL, John WICKHAM, Philip CULP*, Abraham VAN ZANDT*, Nathan SAYRE*, Isaac BUNCE*, Daniel BARTON*, Hendrick HOUGTAILING, Robert HAIR, Isaac HOUGTAILING, Samuel A. MAWNEY, and Peter WALLING. (* Soldier of 1812)
John S. SUTPHEN was born in 1793 in New
Jersey. He was a son of Richard
SUTPHEN and Mary VAN MATER, his wife, whose children were Peter, John S.,
Richard, Polly, Nelly, Elizabeth and Jane.
This family were early residents of Starkey, and included Arthur, a son
of Richard SUTPHEN Sr., by his first marriage.
Peter married Elizabeth MATHEWS, and was a resident of Hector.
John S., married in 1814, Ann, daughter of Andrew RAPLEE.
They lived in Bennett’s Settlement till 1849 and thereafter in Dundee
where he died in 1868. His wife died the following year at 72 years.
They were a thrifty pair and had a goodly estate.
Richard Jr., born in 1791, married in 1816, Ellen Ann MATTHEWS. She was born in
1800. They resdied many years in
Barrington on lot 34. She died in
1846 and he in 1866. their children
were Peter M, and Mary Rebecca. Peter
M., born in 1820, married first, Marian, daughter of Orange HOLLISTER and has a
second wife, Maggie WAITE, of Oregon, Ill.
He and his brother I n law, Ashbel HOLLISTER, were for some time
merchants at Eddytown, succeeding George W. SIMMONS.
The children of Peter were by his first marriage, Emmet O., Charles,
Alida, Truman and John S.; by the second, one child, Lenora.
Mary Rebecca born in 1822 is the wife of Anthony C. HARPENDING.
Polly married Laban CRANDALL and lived in
Milo. Nelly married and moved West.
Elizabeth was the wife of James HYATT, of Benton.
Jane married David HYATT brother of James and a soldier of the War of
1812.
Tewalt SWARTS, son of Daniel SWARTS, born in New Jersey in 1755, married Elizabeth CORSELOIUS, who was born near New York in 1754. They came to Bennett’s Settlement in 1811 and settled on the farm now occupied by William SWARTS, originally bought of Melvin SCHNECK. He was a farmer and died in 1850. His wife died in 1820. Their children were Daniel, Susannah, Catharine and Peter.
Daniel born in 1787, married Sally, daughter of Casper ROSS, one of the pioneers of Starkey. They children are Eliza, Susan, Peter, Tewalt, Rossitier, Daniel, Jonus, Thomas and Mary J. They moved to Canadice.
Susannah born in 1789, married Samuel WALLING who came to Starkey with her father. They lived and died in that town. Their children were, Asa, Daniel, Eliza, Peter, Elisha, Alvah, Catharine and Noah. Asa married Sarah WILSON.
Catharine was the first wife of Isaac LANNING.
Peter born in 1796 at Wantage, NJ, married in 1826, Tacey Ann, daughter of Hope CARPENTER, and Abigail YOST, his wife. She was born in 1807. They resided many years in Chubb Hollow, afterwards succeeded his father on the homestead, and he now resides in Dundee. He married a second wife, Lydia, daughter of Uriah SMITH and now has a third, Roxanna, widow of Jesse W. WELLS. His children, both by the first marriage, are Elizabeth and William. Elizabeth born in 1826, became the second wife of Floyd FLORENCE. They live in Milo, and their children are Cassius, Tacey A., Lydia, Emma, Adaline and William. William SWARTS married Mary Jane, daughter of Daniel RAPLEE. Their children are Carpenter, Ursula, Melvin and one other.
Tewalt SWARTS, the ancestor of this family,
was a Revolutionary soldier.
Tewalt SWARTS 2nd, was a son of Baltus SWARTS of New Jersey, where he married Margaret, daughter of Micajah DEAN. They came to Starkey in 1812 and bought a farm on Phillip’s Location, and reside there through life. He was noted for his large size, weighing about 300 pounds. Both died in old age, and their children were Anna, Micajah, George, John, Halsey, Jacob, Jane and Miles.
Anna married Nathaniel HUSON, Jr.
Micajah born in 1804, married in 1826, Sarah, daughter of Peter BEAM and resided on her paternal homestead many years. He died in Dundee in 1865. Their children were Mary Ann, Tewalt and Clarissa. Mary Ann, born in 1827, is the wife of Stephen CHUBB. Tewalt, born in 1829, married Huldah, daughter of Luther HAIR. Their children are Frank and Fred. Clarissa born in 1834, married Warren DUNN. They have one son, John.
George married Sylvia, daughter of Buckley JOHNSON.
John married Mary Ann SNOOK. HE was killed in 1871 by the kick of a horse. Their children are James, Oliver, Sarah, Ann, Marion and Melvin B. James married Harriet, daughter of Strader HOWELL, and lives in Dundee. Sarah is the wife of Charles ROBINSON. Ann married John FREEMAN.
Halsey married Phebe CORBIN. They live in Steuben Co. and their children are George, Susan A. and Ada.
Jacob married Elizabeth, daughter of John STOUT of Starkey. They live in Barrington and their children are Sarah, Mary, Francis, Lissa and Ada.
Jane married Daniel S. VANCE and died leaving two children, Miles and Emmet.
Miles SWARTS married Sarah SHEPHERD. Their children are Susan A. and Emmet.
Tewalt SWARTS 2nd, was drafted, a
soldier in the War of 1812, and hired for a substitute, John NICHOLS.
John TAYLOR was born in Sheffield, Mass in 1771. His father, Phineas TAYLOR moved late in life, to Bloomfield, Ontario Co., and died there in 1800. Mary WELLS, the wife of Phineas TAYLOR died in 1779. John was in early life a shoemaker’s apprentice and later learned the trade of a tanner and currier. At 16 years, he was three months in the army that quelled Shay’s Rebellion. At 22 years he came on horseback to the Genesee Country, and crossing the river where Rochester now stands, found there but two log houses. He lived a few years in Bloomfield, sold out there and bought 50 acres on the bank of Seneca Lake, eight miles south of Geneva, where he erected a tannery and pursued his trade till 1808 in which year he bought 100 acres, two miles south of Dundee and resided thereon till his death in 1857. He was a Presbyterian Elder many years and a man at once truthful, unostentatious, simple in habits, charitable, pious and a friend of schools and churches. In 1797, he married Mary BENTON, a relative of the Missouri senator, Thomas H. BENTON. She died in 1801 and he married in 1805, Sarah ACKLEY of Canandaigua. She was born in 1778 and died in 1862. She was a person of superior worth. The children by the first marriage were Horace Benton and Edric Seyfourth; and by the second. Austa L., Henrietta, Joel A., Sarah A., John Wells and Samuel.
Horace B. born in 1799, married in 1822, Jane, daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth BARNES of Seneca. She was born in 1803 and is still living. He died in 1864 at Bellona. Their children were John Benton, Horace, Jane E., Elizabeth A., George W., Mary E., Charles W. and Mark Sibley. John B. born in 1823, married in 1863, Lucinda, daughter of Ithamer and Ruth SMITH of Waitsfield, VT. They had a daughter, Ruth E., born in 1857. They live in Seneca, one and a half miles from Bellona; and his occupation is farming. Horace born in 1826, married in 1850, Olive, daughter of Samuel and Sarah CURTIS. Their children were Sarah Jane, born in 1852, George C., born in 1854, Charles H., born in 1859, Nettie M., born in 1865 and Ernest E. born in 1869. Sarah J., married in 1871, M. WILLSIE, a real estate broker at Ashland, Nebraska. Jane E. (twin sister of Horace) married in 1849, Benjamin CODDINGTON of Bellona. She died in 1852 and he about a year after. Elizabeth A. born in 1827, married Peter K. DEYO, in 1851 and died in 1860. Mary E. born in 1823, married in 1860, Horace HALBERT and they reside at Conway, Mich. He is a farmer. Charles W. born in 1834, married first, Gertrude LOOMIS. He resides at Independence, Iowa and is a merchant. George W., born in 1830, married in 1856, Hattie, daughter of Benjamin REED. She died in 1862. Their children are Frank, born in 1856 and Kittie A., born in 1858. He married a second wife, Carrie REED, sister of the first, in 1869. They reside at Bellona and he is a farmer. Mark S. born in 1836 is a merchant at Eureka, California.
Edric S. TAYLOR was born in 1801 and married in 1824, Alemney, daughter of James and Mary SEAMON of Reading. He died in Wheeler, in 1837. She died in 1849. Their children were: James E., John W. and Helen S. James E., born in 1825, married in 1847, Eliza Ann, daughter of Orva H. and Mary WILLIAMS of Wheeler. She was born in 1825. They have one child, Mary Bell, born in 1858. They reside at Starkey on the Clark BELL farm. John W., born in 1828 married in 1849, Margaret J., daughter of Robert and Esther SCOTT of Prattsburg. He is a farmer residing in Wheeler, Steuben Co. They have two children, Esther A. born in 1850 and Helen born in 1864. Esther married Smith K. ROSE of Wheeler in 1870. Helen S., born in 1835, married in 1857, Clark BELL, a lawyer from Steuben Co., now resident in New York. He owns a beautiful summer residence near Dundee. They have two daughters, Kate born in 1858 and Carrie, born in 1868.
Austa L. born in 1805, died at the age of 20 years.
Henrietta born in 1807, was the wife of Rev. Samuel WHITE.
Joel Ackley TAYLOR was born in 1809 and married in 1832, Amy STARK of Waterloo, born in 1811. She was a lineal descendant of Molly STARK of Revolutionary history and died in 1851. Their children are Minerva C., Sarah E., Mary C., Harriet A., John s., Eliza J., Charles, Nancy M. and Adaline R. Minerva C. born in 1833 died in 1845. Sarah E. born in 1835 married in 1868, Emmett DAILY of Barrington. They have one child, Eldric T., born in 1870. He resides in Barrington, a carpenter. Mary C., born in 1837, died in 1863 in Milo. Harriet A., born in 1839, died in 1867. John S., born in 1843 resides in Benton, a farmer. Eliza J., born in 1845, died in 1860. Charles born in 1847 resides in Milo, a farmer. Nancy M. born in 1847 died in 1848. Adaline R. born in 1849 married in 1869, Charles P. DISBROW. They have one child, Clark F., born in 1870.
Sarah Ann TAYLOR born in 1815, married in 1834, Abram SLEEPE of Dundee and died in 1838. They had one child, Austa, born in 1835. She married Henry K. REYNOLDS and they have two children.
John Wells TAYLOR born Sept 18, 1819, married May 17, 1854, Elizabeth T., daughter of Russell A. HUNT of Milo. She was born in 1831. They have one child, Frank Russel, born in 1860. J. Wells TAYLOR graduated at Wabash College in 1851. He studied law with Spencer & Kernan at Utica, practiced sometime at Canandaigua, and is now a farmer in Milo.
Samuel TAYLOR born in 1822 married in 1850,
Mary E., born in 1824, daughter of John B. and Harriet L. MILLIUS of Barrington.
They have two children, John W. born in 1851 and Henry L., born in 1854.
A name held in kindly remembrance by the older citizens of Yates county is that of James TAYLOR. His father, Simon TAYLOR was an English soldier of the army of Burgoyne and his mother, Ruth CHAPPELL, a native of Connecticut. He was the fourth son of a large family and at 19 yeas, his father “gave him his time: that he might earn for himself the means to gratify his love for books and enlarge his studies. He went to Canada, where the destruction of a timber raft on the Lachire rapids ended a disastrous lumber enterprise in which he was engaged with others, and he took charge of a winter school. His efforts to keep in advance of his pupils made his teaching a valuable experience. The War of 1812 induced him to leave Canada, and he next taught a school at Trumansburg. About the same time he began the study of law. In 1816 he was licensed to practice in the Court of Common Please of Seneca county; in 1823, in the Supreme Court; and in 1831 the Court of Chancery. In 1816 he commenced his residence at Eddytown and in 1819, married Maria, daughter of Capt. Silas WICKES. The observed their 50th anniversary of their wedding at the residence of their daughter, Mrs. C. B. BRACE, in Leavenworth, Kansas, on the 19th of January, 1869. Afther16 years residence in Eddytonw they moved to Penn Yan where they lived till 1856. They then moved to St. Paul, Minnesota and a year later to Leavenworth, where he died on December 30, 1869, in his 80th year. He was a lawyer of superior acquirements and more than average ability and a candid and forcible advocate. From 1823 to 1836 he was District Attorney of Yates county. Upon the adoption of the constitution of 1846, he was a candidate on the Democratic ticket for Justice of Supreme Court, and received much more than a party vote. In early life he was a great admirer of DeWitt CLINTON. Upon the unjust removal of that able statesman from the office of Canal Commissioner by a hostile Legislature in 1824, a committee of citizens in Readying consisted of John STARKEY, James TAYLOR and Stephen REEDER, presented a brief address of confidence to Mr. CLONTON, who was much gratified by their action and made a reply in which the following passage occurs: “ As I feel no resentments I shall express none. In the wise and benevolent dispensations of Providence, the aberrations of man are frequently rendered subservient to his best interests; and cases often occur when we may unite with Joseph in his pathetic address to his penitent brethren, and exclaim, “Ye wrought evil against me but God meant it for good.” From early manhood, Mr. TAYLOR was an exemplary member of the Presbyterian Church. His wife was a woman of rare social worth. Their children were: James W., Henry C., Eliza, Charles C and Harriet, all of whom were born at Eddytown.
James W. is a lawyer of ability, a man of great energy of character, and liberal and comprehensive views. He has long been a resident of St. Paul, Minnesota. A scheme put forth by him for the preservation and civilization of the Indians, by putting them on a territory to be exclusive theirs, is the most feasible and humane of any proposition made for that purpose. He married Chloe LANGFORD of Utica, and their children are Mary, Alice, Eliza and Harriet. Mary married Charles L. ALDEN, a lawyer of Troy, NY.
Henry Chappell was drowned at the age of 11 years, in Lake Keuka.
Eliza married Semptimus WATKINS of Waterloo. They reside in Leavenworth, Kansas, and their children are Kitty, Harriet, and a third daughter.
Charles C., then a resident of Madison, Indiana, died in Penn Yan in 1856
Harriet born in 1831, married in 1851,
Claudius B. BRACE for some hears a hardware merchant in Penn Yan, and now a
prosperous resident of Leavenworth, Kansas.
Their children are: Maria P., Kate S., Charles, Walter and James F. Maria P. and Kate S. are students of the Vassar Female
College at Poughkeepsie.
Job S. TERRILL was a native of Brookfield, Conn., and was born in 1776. He married Phebe, daughter of Ferris HURD. She was thirteen years his senior. They came to the Genesee country with Richard HURD, and settled on a farm west of Hurd’s Corners, now known as Rock Stream. He was an original settler on the land he occupied and was a citizen of respectability and worth. He and his wife lived to advanced age, she living to near the age of 100 years. Their children were Ruth Ann, Patty and Panina (twins), George and Abel F.
Ruth Ann married Orra KEELER and moved to Indiana.
Polly married Whitney WOOD. They lived some years in Starkey and the family now resides at Bellona. The children were George, Sherman, Abby and Frank. Panina married Daniel MILLER. They live at Coldwater, Mich., and have a son, Harvey.
George married Nancy, daughter of Elder Lafever. Their children were, George, Phebe and Ruth Ann.
Abel F. born in 1807, is an excellent millwright and an industrious and estimable citizen. He married Eliza, daughter of Timothy E. JONES. She was born in 1812. they live at Shannon’s Corners, and own the mill at that place. Their children are Martha, Sherman, Harvey, Timothy J., George and Anna. Martha married Richard JOHNSON. Their children are Lillie and Sherman. Harvey was a solider of Co. B., 126th NYV and died in the service at Fort Mc Henry, VA. Sherman TERRILL is at sea. Timothy J. was also a union solider, serving two enlistments. He was severely wounded in the fight of the Wilderness and was imprisoned at Andersonsville. He was town collector in 1868.
Reuben THOMAS was from Fort Ann, NY and his wife was Lucy HITCHCOCK. They settled in 1806 on the road leading south from Dundee on the place subsequently occupied many years by Benjamin REYNOLDS. While on the way to their new home in the wilderness, they were stopped at the house of Elisha WARD by the memorable eclipse of that year. He died in 1812, at 53 years and his wife in 1841, at 80 years. Their children were, Reuben, Jared, Gideon, Lucy, Roxana, Lucinda, Pamela, and Obed S. Reuben and his descendants are in Ohio. Jared married first Chloe THOMPSON and second, Nancy, daughter of Philip FULKERSON. Gideon married Fanny HOWARD and moved to Ohio. Lucy was the wife of Aaron HURD. Roxana married Frederick HOWARD and their family resides at Bath. Lucinda married Dr. Jacob VOSBURGH. Pamela, born in 1799, married Sherlock ANDREWS. Oven S. born in 1802, married Lola, daughter of Icabod ANDREWS. He was a man of worth and died at North Reading, where he was a merchant and Postmaster for many years.
David THOMPSON and his wife, Hannah MEEKER, were early settlers on the Rev. Samuel WHITE place, west of Rock Stream, coming there about 1803. They remained till about 1814 when both died, within five days apart of each other. Their children were Sheldon, Chloe, Eli, Comfort, Henry, Harriet, and Phila Ann. Sheldon died at 19 years. Chloe was the first wife of Jared THOMAS and died six years later than her parents (1820). The remainder of the family were kept together by them while she lived. Eli married in Ohio, Lydia BARSTOW. Comfort married Ruth, daughter of David DAVIDSON of Reading, and now lives in Michigan. Henry married in Ohio, dolly COLE. They have 10 children all living. Harriet born in 1808, married in 1826, Charles HIBBITTS, many years a hotel keeper at Reading Center. Phila Ann born in 1812, married Alexander H. QUIN. She died in 1864. Their only child, Theresa, married Christopher WILOVER and their children are Minnie, Frank, Lucy and John.
Chloe, a sister of David THOMPSON, was the wife of Jesse DAINS of Milo. Esther, another sister of David THOMPSON, was the mother of Almy ROBERTS, second wife of Alfred RICH Sr.
Hiram TITSWORTH was born in 1788 in Sussex Co., NJ and married there in 1808, Charity, daughter of Baltus SWARTS. She was born in 1785. They came to the Lake Country in 1812, and settled above Eddytown, just south of Richard LANNING. He bought of William EDDY the land on which he begun. Reaching his destination with one span of old white horses and $45 in money, he made the money a first payment for his land. He afterwards bought land till he owned 340 acres, and died in 1861, leaving a fine estate besides providing well for his children. He was drafted into the War of 1812, and hired John S. SUTPHEN to go to the field as his substitute. He was one of the founders of the Presbyterian Church at Eddytown, long one of its deacons, and a man of sterling character. His wife died in 1869. Their children were Susan, Henry, Baltus, Martha A., and Margaret M.
Susan born in 1810, died in 1830.
Henry born in 1812 in Starkey (then Reading) married Martha, daughter of James B. LANNING. They live on DeWitt’s Patent in Starkey. He died in 1840, leaving a surviving daughter, Mary Ann, who married Thomas J. CONKLIN. They have a daughter, Charity.
Baltus, born in 1814, married in 1835, Elizabeth, daughter of Doctor MILLARD. She was born in 1816. They reside in Dundee, where he is a highly respected citizen. They have one surviving daughter, Ella, now a student in the Elmira Female College.
Martha A., died at 15 years in 1835.
Margaret M. married Mizner LONGCOR, who died
some years ago. She resides in
Dundee.
Dan TOMPKINS was born in Danby, Putnam Co. in 1800. He was a son of Solomon TOMPKINS and Deborah DAN, his wife. He learned the trade of shoemaking at Danbury, Conn., and when his apprenticeship was ended, he came to Ithaca and thence in 1821 to Eddytown. There he married, the same year, Hannah M., daughter of Charles A. DEMING and Hannah WARNER, his wife. Mrs. DEMING was a sister of Mrs. Harry SMITH (see SMITH), and died in 1805. Her daughter, Hannah M., born in 1802, lived in the families of Harry and William SMITH. Dan TOMPKINS plied his trade 10 years in Eddytown, when he moved to Dundee, pursuing his trade till 1854. He then moved to Columbia County, Wisconsin, where he lives, a farmer. His wife also survives. He has been a character of note in Starkey, and his shop at Eddytown was always a resort for current news and a discussion of public topics. Like most of his neighbors he was a sound Whig. Their children were Edwin D., Charles S., George W., James, Maria, Jane, William, Catharine, Lucretia and Samuel.
Edwin D., born in 1822, married in 1844 Catharine, daughter of Gamaliel D. CONKLIN. She was born in 1824. He is a prosperous hardware merchant at Watkins, of the firm of Tompkins & Simmons. He was a mercantile clerk at Tyrone for 10 years, and was there a partner 3 years with John J. SMITH Jr., as dealers in dry goods. They were also dealers together at Watkins for 16 years. Their chidlrne are Lydia Ann, Thaddeus C. and Caroline E.
Charles S., born in 1824, married Susan, daughter of Chauncey ROUSE of Barrington, and now lives near Columbus, Wis. They have four children.
George W. TOMPKINS born in 1826, resided in Watkins till 1851. He went with the “Ithaca Company: “ to California and married and died there, leaving three children.
James TOMPKINS, born in 1830, married in 1862, Antoinette, daughter of Henry F. MORGAN. He has lived in New York since 1852.
Maria, born in 1832, married in 1856 to Joseph COTEE, in Wisconsin. They live in Iowa and he is a prosperous merchant. They have two children.
Jane, born in 1834, married Thomas JAMES. They live near Columbus, Wis.
William, born in 1836, died in 1858.
Catharine, born in 1838, married in 1866, Mr. WHITEFIELD in Wisconsin and moved to Minnesota.
Lucretia and Samuel are single. Samuel was born in 1850.
The mother of Dan TOMPKINS and her daughter Millison, lived in his family till 1834, when Millison married David OLMSTEAD and after several years residence in Dundee, moved West. The mother died at her daughter’s residence in Chemung County in 1836, very aged. Millison died in 1866, upwards of 70 years, at the residence of Dan TOMPKINS – outliving her husband.
Thomas TORRANCE was the father of Richard and Ezra B., who purchased jointly in 1811, of George BROWN and Sarah, his wife, 234 acres of land on lot 7 of the Potter Location, payb $1,404. Richard settled there first clearing off a place in the woods whereon to place his log cabin. ON the same spot now stands the expensive mansion of Daniel SPROWL. In 1816, Ezra B. TORRANCE sold his interest in the south half of this farm to his brother, who continued to reside on it till 1837, when he sold to Amos ELLIS. Richard TORRANCE kept a public house there during most of his stay. In 1820 he was second lieutenant of cavalry, in the company of which John J. SMITH was captain and John BODION, lieutenant. He was justly held in high esteem. In religious faith he was a Unitarian. From Starkey he moved to Avon, NY. His wife was Elizabeth, daughter of Nathaniel DANN, a native of Nova Scotia and died in 1846, at 56 years. He died at Avon in 1852 at 63 years. Their children were Charles Grandison, Lucinda P., Underhill D., Louisa P., Phebe A., Lacy, Henrietta C. and Floyd D.
Charles G. married in 1846, Harriet CHAPEL of Avon and has a second wife, Eunice MOREHOUSE. They live in Batavia. The children by the first marriage are Ella E. and Charles F.; by the second, William and John.
Lucinda P. died at 23 years.
Underhill D. married Eliza J., daughter of Amasa BRYAN of Avon. He was long a clerk for Harvey G. STAFFORD. They reside in Avon and their children are, Floyd R., Bell A. and Edith B.
Louisa P. married Alexander F. WHITAKER.
Phebe A. born in 1821, married in 1852, Richard B. BRYAN, son of Amasa BRYAN of Avon. He has been some years a resident of Penn Yan, engaged in Foundry and machine business at the Commercial Iron Works. Their children are Frederick W.A. and Carrie.
Lacey died at 18 years in 1840.
Henrietta C. born in 1830, married Charels R. ST JOHN and died in 1855.
Floyd D. married first Caroline UPTON of Victor in 1852. They were married in Florida and she died of consumption before they reached home. His second wife was Alvira, sister of his first. She died in 1863 by being thrown from a carriage in Penn Yan. She left a son, Charles F. Floyd D. TORRANCE is now a resident of Montana.
Ezra B. TORRANCE came from Vermont in 1806 and lived a year or two in Reading, moving thence to the Friend’s settlement, working at his trade as a millwright and carpenter. He built the old “Supplee House,” and superintended the raising of the Friend’s House in Jerusalem. He moved to the town of Seneca and built the meeting house of the old seceder church in “No 9,” about 1810. He also erected the old Glass Factory, about 3 miles south of Geneva. He next united with his brother in the purchase of land already described, his half of which he sold after improving it, to Wilson AYRES. From thence he returned to Seneca in 1816, and erected the tavern known as Widow TAYLOR’S. While there he built a grist mil for John DEY. He afterwards lived west of Geneva, owning the place known as Brockway stand, and held the office of Justice of the peace. He died at 56 years in 1828. His daughter, Sally, is the wife of Nathan G. BENEDICT. His son Asher, was long an influential citizen of Lockport, a business man of note and postmaster of that place.
Thomas TORRANCE, the father of these families, was a Revolutionary soldier and was made a cripple in the service. He lived many years in a small log house near that of his son, Richard in Starkey. He died in 1842 at Avon, at 93 years. His wife died at the residence of another son, Hiram, not resident here.
Richard TOWNSEND was born in Westchester county in 1774 and married Zeruah KLINE in Columbia county. They came to Starkey in 1824 and bought 50 acres of land of Samuel A. MAWNEY in the southwest part of the town. This land is 1819 was assessed at $120, and taxes 81 cents. Joel WRIGHT bought the same land of TOWNSEND and still owns and occupies it. Mrs. Richard TOWNSEND died in 1835, age 59 years, and he in 1851. Their children were Polly, Eli, Susan, Caleb, Luisa, Sally, Robert, Hiram and Esther.
Polly married first, Alanson PIXLEY and second, Daniel BROWN of Steuben county. Her descendants reside without the county.
Eli born in 1797 in Columbia county, married in 1821, Betsey, daughter of Nathaniel HUSON. They were married by Rev. Stephen LAMPHIER, a Christian minister. They settled first on the farm now owned by R. a. PRATT, and next a little latter on the Dr. John WARNER place, directly west of Big Stream Point, on the Eddytown road, where they still live. He has been a prominent and popular citizen, a thrifty farmer and successful man in business. The family has been one distinguished for its hospitality and good cheer. Their children are Nathaniel, Richard, William, Mary Ann, Elizabeth and Angeline. Nathaniel married Austa, daughter of Samuel ROSE of Reading. They live near his father and their children are Bell and Willie. Richard married Jane GUSTION. They reside at Big Stream Point and have a daughter, Ida. William married Julia WELLER and lives in Kentucky. Mary and Angeline live singe with their parents. Elizabeth is the wife of David L. ROYCE of Starkey.
Susan TOWNSEND married Roswell RAPLEE and after her death, Louisa (TOWNSEND) also became his wife.
Caleb married Eliza, daughter of Elisha WARD. They had a large family and moved West.
Sally married Lora HUDSON. They had a numerous family and moved to Dix, Schuyler county.
Robert married Ann, daughter of Judson MILLARD. Their children are Jane and Janett.
Hiram married Freelove A., daughter of Judah WEEKS and died in 1850, leaving four children, Robert, Zeruah, Mary Ann and Clark,
Esther married John NICHOLS of Reading. Their children are Amasa, Martha, Mary, Henry, Charlotte, Emma, Richard, Charles and Lewis.
Larmon G. TOWNSEND was a native of Connecticut and was engaged near New Haven in business some time before he located at Big Stream. His first wife was Julia BRONSON. In company with Philo BRONSON, his brother in law (later corrected to his father in law), he purchased in 1829, of Andrew P. TILLMAN of Geneva, for $4,825, 180 acres at Big Stream and 6 acres on the opposite side, at Peach Orchard. In 1806, Dr. Samuel BARD of Dutchess county, petitioner in partition vs. Elisha BODENOT and others unknown, defendants, was allotted by Samuel S. HAIGHT, George HORNELL and Christopher HULBUT, Commissioners appointed by the Supreme Court, section 9, 1,226 acres, and section 10, 1,326 acres, the latter including Big Stream Point; also other lands, amounting in all to 3, 580 acres. A two-third interest in these lands was held by Dr. BARD for Nathaniel PENDLETON. The latter purchased from Dr. BARD in 1812, his entire interest in this property. Nathaniel PENDLETON conveyed in 1816 to Caleb FULKERSON, lot 1 0f section 10 of Watson’s Patent, containing 123 acres for $555.75. In 1818 Caleb FULKERSON conveyed to William W. FOLWELL of Romulus, 37 acres of lot 1, embracing the mill seat. January 25, 1820, PENDLETON by his attorney, Andrew MC NAB, conveyed to George S. SHELLMIRE and Harry CLARK, for $2,478, lot 8 of section 10 of Watson’s purchase, 309acres, embracing Big Stream Point. January 29, 1820, Henry SHRIVER, Sheriff of Steuben Count, sold to Zebulon WILLIMS the interest of SHELLMIRE in this property. Avery SMITH of Milo, SHELLMIER’S grantee, redeemed the property in 1821 and because the sole owner. In February 1821, Dr. Claudius C. COAN and George S. SHELLMIRE conveyed a part of lot 8, section 10 to Avery SMITH, and on the same day Dr. COAN conveyed to Avery SMITH a part of lot 1, section 10. The property consisted of land and other things, and its purchase price was $6,200. Richard HENDERSON had an interest in it to the amount of $1,100 and held a stipulation accordingly, which he assigned to David HENDERSON. In 1822 Avery SMITH conveyed to David HENDERSON 1/6 part of lot 8, section 10 and also 1/6 of lot 1, section 10. Avery SMITH in 1828 conveyed to Andrew P. TILLMAN, for $2,000, part on lot 8, 180 acres lying east of the land deeded by him to David HENDERSON and also 6 acres in Hector. In 1831, Townsend & Bronson took into partnership, Nicholas AYRAULT, conveying to him, ½ the property for $2,500 and formed the firm of Townsend & Co. In 1832 AYRAULT assigned to TOWNSEND. In 1835 Townsend & Bronson conveyed to George BARKLEY of Geneva, the mill seat for $1,475. BARKLEY built a valuable flouring mill and in 1837 conveyed one half of the mill property to Larmon G. TOWNSEND for $7,500. Still later, the same year, Philo BRONSON conveyed to TOWNSEND the Point for $5,000. In 1839 BARKLEY conveyed the other half of the mill property to Mr. TOWNSEND for $7,000. In those days Big Stream Point was one of the greatest wheat markets of Western New York, and Townsend & Barkley did a very thriving business.
Mr. TOWNSEND was fairly supreme at Big Stream Point about 1840. He built a woolen factory, a plaster mill, a saw mill for sawing ship timber, built a stone dam at the summit of the falls, cut a race through the rocks to carry water to the mills, which was an expensive work, established a Ferry across the Lake, built a warehouse and a large dock for the steamboat, built a dry dock, and kept a boat yard in operation. He had at the Point a blacksmith shop, and also a tailor, shoe, harness and other shops, built a school house, sustained a preacher at his own expense, and owned a number of houses, which he kept as dwellings for his workmen; also a public house. He also has a post office established at the Point, and was the first postmaster. He had at work 500 men at one time. In his boa tyard a large number of boats were constructed, including one or two steamboats. During a dozen years or more, Mr. TOWNSEND’S business was large and flourishing.
In an evil day he took Charles GODFREY into partnership and his prosperity departed. They launched into
litigation, and disaster to all enterprise and prosperity at Big Stream was the result. In 1852 Mr. TOWNSEND made an assignment to Daniel D. WARNER. Long and sharply contested lawsuits followed, and TOWNSEND moved to Geneva, where he resided many years. He died in Illinois in 1870, at 69 years, while on a visit to his son in Michigan.
Larmon G. TOWNSEND was a son of Larmon G. TOWNSEND of Connecticut and married in Middlebury, Julia, daughter of Philo BRONSON, who was therefore his father in law, and not brother in law, as heretofore stated. BRONSON and TOWNSEND were in business together in New Haven, CT, and came together with their families to Geneva, on the same canal boat with Hiram SEELYE, long an honored merchant of that village. His wife died in Geneva in 1853, at 50 years. He married a second wife, Julia A. CAMPBELL, widow BRADLEY, and mother of George B. BRADLEY, a noted lawyer at Corning. She survives, residing with her son at Corning. The children of Larmon G. TOWNSEND were four, all by his first marriage, Julia, Larmon B., Mary and Henry.
Julia, born in 1832, married in 1853 Orlando HURD of Watkins, President of the Second National Bank of that village. She died in 1858, leaving a son, Frank.
Larmon B., born in 1834, married in 1857, Gertrude, daughter of George W. VAN ALLEN. He resides at Iona, Michigan, where he is extensively engaged in real estate operations and in the lumber trade. He is a citizen of prominence and influence.
Mary, born in 1836, married in 1862 Augustus H. MOORE, an insurance agent and furniture dealer at Watkins. Their children were Nellie, Freddie and Juliana.
Henry, born in 1838, died in 1861 at Maysville, Kentucky.
Of Larmon G. TOWNSEND, it is proper to say that he was a man of fine qualities of heart, as well as correct and fair in business. He was open-handed, kind to the poor and a man of liberal devices.
Joshua TUTHILL was born on Long Island in 1774 and married in Orange Co., Sarah, sister of Stephen and Josiah REEDER. She was born in 1782. They settled at Reeder’s Corners in 1810, where they resided through life. Joshua TUTHILL was a prominent Methodist and died in 1849. His wife died in 1843. Their children were Fanny, Benjamin, Maria, Abagail and Charles G.
Fanny was the wife of Harry HURD.
Benjamin, born in 1801, married Rebecca H. DUNN. In 1824 he opened a hotel at Starkey’s Corners and kept it most of his life. He was a prominent Democratic politician, was Postmaster at his place for many years, was the candidate of his party for the office of delegate to the Constitutional Convention in 1846 and for Member of Assembly in 1852. In the older military days he was a Colonel of the 10th Regiment of cavalry. He died as he had lived, a consistent Christian man, in 1856 and his widow still survives. Their children were Theron, Henry, Joshua E., Darwin, Susan, Minerva and Sarah.
Theron, born in 1824, died at 18 years, a young man of promise, greatly beloved by friends. Henry born in 1826, married Sarah E., daughter of Dr. Claudius C. COAN, of Ovid. He was many years captain of a passenger steamer on Seneca Lake, and more recently has resided in Penn Yan, engaged in the malting business. His wife died in 1868, leaving one son, Clarence C. Joshua born in 1828, resides at East Saginaw, Mich., a dealer in coal. He married Mary HARRINGTON in Illinois, who died in 1870, leaving four children, Fanny, Benjamin, Edward and Henry. E. Darwin born in 1830, married first, Penelope, daughter of George W. HAZARD, who died in 1856, leaving a son, Harry. He married a second wife, Annette LEWIS. He was many years a railway conductor; was for some time proprietor of the Benham House, Penn Yan, and more recently of the Clifton Springs Hotel. He is also associated with Henry in the malting business. Sarah married Augustus W. FRANKLIN of Penn Yan and they have two sons, Richard W. and Henry T. Minerva died in 1856, aged 18 years and Sarah in 1855, aged 8 years.
Maria married James H. WICKES. He was a cabinet maker and worked in Eddytown many years. He was a leading and consistent member of the Presbyterian Church and a most exemplary and upright man, highly esteemed. Their children were Sarah, James L., George A., Henry, Edward and Charles. Sarah died a young woman. The sons, except George A., are at East Saginaw, Mich., in the foundry business and is now interested with his brothers at the West.
Abigail born in 1806, married Jesse S. LAYTON. They lived many years in Starkey, and finally moved out of the county. Mrs. LAYTON died in 1862. They had a daughter, Elizabeth T., who married John RUNNER and died in 1851 at 26 years.
Charles G. married Elizabeth F., daughter of Samuel CASTNER. He resided in Starkey a number of years. He was a citizen of good repute and a major in the regiment previously commanded by his brother. He was a merchant at Burdett where his wife died in 1865. Their children are Mary, Helen, Emmet, Frances and Isadore. Mary married D. Thompson DUNN of Elmira. They live at Brunswick Georgia. Helen married S. Otis LIVINGSTON. They live in New York. Emmet married Dell VAN BUSKIRK of Burdett and they live in Ithaca.
Samuel VANCE was born in Warwick Orange county in 1782 and learned there his trade as a miller. He came to this county at an early date and operated for some time the mill of Daniel SHANNON on Indian Run. He married in 1810, Polly, daughter of Andrew RAPLEE. She was born in 1793. They settled near the west line of Starkey and the south line of the De Witt’s Patent, where they resided 60 years. He was a soldier of the War of 1812. Both are still alive in 1871. Their children were John J., William, Andrew, Katy Ann, Daniel S., Madison, Chauncy, Eliza Jane, Mary and Candace. The youngest daughter, Candace born in 1831, married Morris LOOMIS; they reside on lot 13 in Barrington and her parents reside with them. Their children are Samuel, Dorcilla, Melvin and Marilla. The other descendants of Samuel VANCE reside without the county.
John VAN LEW was born in New Jersey in 1794 and died in Starkey in 1840. He married in 1816, Catharine MYERS pf Phelps, originally from New Jersey. She also was born in 1794. John VAN LEW was a son of Frederic VAN LEW, a Revolutionary solider, who settled in Ovid in 1800. While living he was unable to make all the proofs required to secure a pension; but after his death the proofs were furnished and his widow and family received the accruing benefits of his service. He died at the age of nearly 100 years. Their children were John, Nathan, Richard, Peter, Elnatan, Frederic, Mary Ann and Penelope.
John settled in 1822, about two miles southeast of Himrods, on the Lake road, where he died. His widow still survives. Their children were George, David, Catharine, and John. George married Polly Ann, daughter of Daniel VAN ALLEN, and emigrated to South Carolina in 1869, where he died. They had long resided in Elmira and had two children, Mary and Augusta. He was a useful and competent citizen, many years a teacher. David married and resides at Knoxville, Tennessee. John resides single, east of Himrods with his mother. Catharine is the wife of Timothy SUPPLEE.
Isaac E. VOSBURGH and Henry VOSBURGH, were sons of Evert BOSBURGH, who settled in Reading in 1814. Isaac E. preceding the others, settled on the south line of Starkey, a short distance east of the New Pre-emption Line in 1811. His wife was Christine WARWICK of Herkimer county. They were original settlers on their farm, where they lived 50 years, respected members of society. He died in 1861 at 74 years, and his wife in 1867 at 77 years.
Henry VOSBURGH born in 1800, married in 1826, Sally Ann FISHER, who was born in 1810. They lived near the home of Isaac E. VOSBURGH, where he died in 1870, and she still lives. He lived in Reading on his paternal homestead, 56 years, and was known as an honest, industrious citizen. Their children were Rachel, Lyman, Kendrick and Mary.
Rachel born in 1827, married in 1846, Charles, son of Philip WARD. Their children are William and Sarah.
Lyman born in 1831, married Helen JOHNSON in 1854. They reside in Starkey and their children are, Ervy, Jane, Kendrick J., Henry and Charles.
Kendrick born in 1836, married in 1863, Helen T., daughter of Joshua HATFIELD of Reading. They reside on the old homestead of Isaac E. VOSBURGH, and have a son, George.
Mary born in 1850, resides with her mother on the homestead.
Evert VOSBURG was born in 1765 and died in 1852. His wife, Catharine, was born in 1767 and died in 1838. Their children were, Isaac E., Lana, Henry, Jacob, John, Clarissa and Cornelia. Lana married Isaac LITTLE. Jacob is a physician, and married Lucinda, daughter of Reuben THOMAS. They reside in Pennsylvania and their children are Nelson, Sarah, Henry, William E., Minerva, Mortimer and Reuben S. The latter is a merchant of the Firm of Martin, Vosburgh & Co., at Dundee. He married Melissa, daughter of Madison RAPLEE. They have a son, Freddie.
John married Laura WATSON. Clarissa was the first wife of Lyman JOHNSON. Cornelia married Isaac BUNCE.
John WALTON was the first husband of Patience, daughter of Griffin B. HAZARD. He was a native of Nova Scotia, and previously lived in Genoa. He came with Samuel HARPENDING to Reading and aided him in establishing the hatting business. He also brought a stock of goods and opened a store. He was married in 1817. He was the first store in Bennett’s Settlement.
Elisha WARD was a native of Vermont, born in 1780. He married there in 1804, Zeruah DENSLOW. She was born in 1788. They settled in Reading in 1806, near the New Pre-emption line, at the south extremity of the town of Starkey, where they resided many years. He was a military character of distinction, rising to the grade of Colonel of the 81st Regiment of Infantry. Their children were Maria, Eliza, Charles, Clark K., Zelima, Publius G. C., Rosetta, John W. and C. Denslow.
Maria born in 18105, married Anthony THOMPSON. They live in Irwin, Steuben Co. Their children are Helen, Elizabeth, Anna, James W., and Robert.
Eliza born in 1807, married Caleb TOWNSEND, son of Richard TOWNSESND. She has a second husband, Jira ROOT.
Charles born in 1809, married Jane JOHNSON.
Clark K. born in 1812, married Alice, daughter of Robert SELFRIDGE, of Milo. He was a merchant at Himrods and Shannontown. He was a partner at the latter place, of Ira FOWLER. He is now at Bucyrus, Ohio, and has been two years a member of the Legislature of that State. He is now a stock dealer. By a second marriage in Ohio, he has a daughter, Sarah, wife of George W. GORMLY, banker at Bucyrus.
Zelima born in 1814, married in 1850, Frederick S. SMITH of Ohio.
Publius G. C. born in 1816, is a teacher of ability, a bachelor and wanderer.
Rosetta born in 1818, married in 1836, Edwin C. ANDREWS.
John Warner WARD keeps a public house at Bellfonte, Ohio.
C. Denslow married Mary Jane HARPER and lives at Bucyrus, Ohio. Their children are Harper and Blanche.
Philip WARD born in 1796, came to Starkey from Westchester county, where he married in 1820, Rebecca, daughter of Jesse COCK, who was born in 1801. They moved into the country with her parents. It appears that Jesse COOK was the father in law of Andrew G. MARSHALL, Philip WARD and William HARING. Another daughter, Anna, married Stephen EDGARTON and a son, Samuel, married Anna VINCENT who lived with his father near Rock Stream, in Reading. Samuel had a son, Edmund, who married Zilpha HAWKINS and became wealthy in Ohio.
Philip WARD was a tavern keeper at Rock Stream and finally died at the house of Prof. Edmund CHADWICK in 1870. His wife survives him. Their children were Charles, William, Adaline, Phebe, John and George.
Charles born in 1820, married Rachel, daughter of Henry VOSBURGH and lives in Reading.
William born in 1822 married Carrie, daughter of Moses CASS. They live in Chicago and have one child, Frank.
Adaline born in 1824 married Prof. Edmund CHADWICK. She is a woman of superior capacity and an admirable teacher. Their children are Albert, Ada, Emma, Thomas M., Charles and John. Albert is a student of Rochester University. Ada is a teacher of more than common merit, and married George H. WILLIAMS of Delaware county.
Phebe born in 1828 married John H. BIGGER and resides in Canada.
John born in 1835 married first, Marian, daughter of Alanson WHEELER and has a second wife, Elizabeth SPENCER. They have a son, George S.
George born in 1839 lives single in Watkins.
A man of no little note in the early history of Starkey was Dr. John WARNER. He was born in Woodbury, Conn., in 1772 and was the son of Eliphaz WARNER and Mercy DRINKWATER, his wife. He studied medicine in Rutland, VT, with Drs. CLEVELAND and PORTER, having moved in early life to Sandgate, VT. He followed the Sandgate colony to Frederickstown in 1803, and taught school and practices medicine boarding with the HURDS while he remained a bachelor. In 1806 he returned to Vermont, and there upon examination received his license to practice physic and became a member of the Medical Society of Vermont. Returning to Reading he continued his practice and taught school; and December 8, 1808, married Mary, daughter of Daniel DE WITT. The marriage took place at her father’s log palace in Bennett’s Settlement, and “Black Harry SMITH” as Justice of the Peace performed the ceremony. They first kept house in one half of Simeon Royce’s double log house in “Eddy’s Settlement”, on the spot where James C. HENDERSON now lives. He then had a small stock of goods for retail and thus opened the first store in Starkey. In July 1810, he was examined and admitted to the practice of surgery and received a diploma from the Medical Society of Vermont. On the 4th day of February, 1812, he was commissioned by Gov. Daniel D. TOMPKINS, “Surgeon of the Regiment of Infantry, in the county of Steuben, whereof Reuben ROYCE Esq., is Lieutenant Colonel Commandant.” He resided in 1811 in Bennett’s Settlement, the three following years at Harpending’s Corners then moving to the farm now occupied by Eli TOWNSEND, where he lived till 1833, when he removed to Rock Stream, residing there till his death in 1839. His wife survived him by 30 years. He was in his lifetime a member of the Steuben and Yates County Medical Societies, and President of both. For many years he was Overseer of the Poor, and nearly always an Inspector or Commissioner of Schools. He took high rank in his profession and was a physician or rare merit. An outspoken and honest man he was respected more than he was loved and always maintained a high character for personal integrity and all the severer virtues of life. Their children were Daniel De Witt, Eliza Ann, James W., Ellen S. Hannah Jane and John W.
Daniel De Witt born in Eddy’s Settlement in 1809, married in 1850, Charlotte, daughter of John COON, of Salem, NY and resides in Starkey. He is a genial man and she is a school teacher of celebrity. Their children are, John d., Charlotte E., Hector L., James W., Mary E. and Cynthia J. John D. is a student at Cornell University.
Eliza Ann, born in 1812, married John ROBERTS, son of James ROBERTS of Reading. She died in 1871. They had one son, John W.
James W. born in 1814, was a teacher and an accomplished Professor of Penmanship. He died in 1840 in New Haven Co., CT.
Ellen S. born in 1816, married Moses HETFIELD, son of John HETFIELD of Starkey.
Hannah Jane born in 1823, married Hector L. LEE, son of David LEE in 1841. He died in 1866 and she survives a widow on his farm in Reading.
John W. born in 1832, married Nancy, daughter of Chester CORBITT of Reading. They reside in Reading and their children are Ada M. and Inda.
Dr. John WARNER had a brother, James W. WARNER, also a physician, who practiced his profession a few years at Dundee, where he resided as early as 1812. The practice of medicine is those days were very farm from lucrative, and physicians did a large amount of gratuitous service.
James M. WESTCOTT, son of Samuel WESTCOTT and Cynthia BATES, his wife, was born in 1809 in the town and county of Otsego, NY. His parents were natives of Rhode Island. His father died in Rushford, Allegany co., in 1856, at 75 years and his mother is still alive in 1872, at 82 years. They had four sons and four daughters and James M. is the oldest son. The family moved to Mendon, Monroe Co., in 1816 and his early life was spent there. He became a cabinet maker. At 19 years, he commenced preaching and became an able and effective exponent of the Christian faith. He preached in Schoharie, Tompkins, Delaware, Otsego, Monroe and Yates counties. He was 3 years a settled pastor at Dundee. He came to Eddytonw in 1838 and lived there nearly a year while a pastor at Dundee. He then moved to Barrington and lived there 8 years. He was then a pastor four years at Mendon when he returned to Barrington and resided there till 1863, in which year he purchased the Dundee Record (newspaper). While living in Barrington, he was four years, a Justice of the Peace. He still conducts the Record, with ability and interest. In 1831 he married Mary, daughter of Samuel BURT of Livonia, Livingston County. Their children are Joseph B., Martin R. and Ruth.
Joseph B. born in 1832, married Eliza B., daughter of Orrin BISHOP of Barrington. He is a lawyer and now a clerk in the Revenue Department at Washington. Their children are: Mary B., Carrie, Ella and Ruth.
Martin R. born in 1837 married Harriet (Bishop), sister of the wife of his brother. He is a farmer of the town of Wayne and was an efficient soldier in the Union service. He was firs a solider of the 44th NYV, afterwards served in the 105th NYV and was nearly three years in the organization of the Sharp Shooters. He took part in 18 battles. Their children are, William W., James O. and one other.
Ruth born in 1839 married Anthony COYKENDALL, resides at Addison and has a son, James S.
Rev. Samuel WHITE was a son of Solomon and Rhoda (Braman) WHITE and was born in Randolph, Mass. in 1791. To his pious and excellent mother, early left a widow, his early education was due. Thomas WHITE of Weymouth, a representative in the Colonial Legislature of Plymouth in 1636, was the ancestor of this family.
Samuel WHITE graduated at Dartmouth Collage in 1812 and at Andover Theological Seminary in 1815. He soon after came to Western New York, and February 14, 1818, was ordained by the Presbytery of Geneva, pastor of the Church at Williamson, where he remained three years, preaching also at Sodus. He was then engaged in teaching at Ovid and Trumansburg. In 1824 he came to Starkey church at Eddytown. During the next 7 years by his untiring labors, Presbyterian Churches were organized in Barrington, Dundee and Rock Stream. He was an able organizing itinerant; visited from house to house, set others at work, and preached in nearly every schoolhouse, traveling often over rough and devious roads. Winds or weather seldom detained him with his light sulky and fleet horse, “Old Sorrel.” With this faithful animal he traversed the whole of Starkey, Reading and Tyrone and times without number “fetched a compass” around the southern extremity of Seneca Lake and also around the whole circuit of Keuka Lake, as well as the lesser lakes of Tyrone and Tobehannah. In the great extent of territory, which at different times comprised his field of labor, are now many flourishing churches, which are much indebted to him for their
organization and prosperity.
In 1831, Mr. WHITE removed to Pultney, where he remained nearly two years. During his ministry her there was an extensive revival, and soon after, 58 were added to the church. A like success attended his labors in Havana, where he lived in 1833, preaching also at Watkins. In 1835 his home was in Tyrone where he is remembered by many of the present members of the church. His last charge was the Pultney church, which he held during his second abode there, nine and a half years. Under his care the church received large accessions and ere he closed his ministry the congregation which had more than doubled in numbers, rebuilt their house of worship. Many of them had received baptism form his hands and as he left them, they parted from him unwillingly, as a child parts from his dying parent.
From 1839 Mr. WHITE was for 2 ½ years Principal of Ovid Academy; and in 1842-3 he was Classical Teacher in Starkey Seminary. Man of his students prepared for college and many have entered the ministry. Intense activity as well as an earnest devotion to the good of all whom his influence might reach, characterized his life as a minister. Accurate scholarship and an impulsive rousing of the student’s ambition, and a decided antipathy to all idleness, were the principal features of his teachings.
He married in 1826, Henrietta, daughter of John TAYLOR. Their children were Samuel Braman, Charles Taylor, William Peregrine, George, Rhoda and Martha.
Samuel B., born in 1827, married in 1847, Amanda TOMER of Pultney. They have two children, Flora born in 1848 and Fanny Emily born in 1859. Flora married Harrison DIXON and they have two children, Alice and a son.
Charles Taylor WHITE, D.D., born in 1829, married Ann Marie CHILD of Derby, VT in 1856. He graduated at Wabash College in 1851 and at Lane Theological Seminary in 1855. He was principal of the Dundee Academy in 1851-52. Soon after their marriage they sailed for India as missionaries where they arrived after a voyage of 100 days. Their home a greater part of the time ws in Pultney, Madura District, 300 miles southwest of Madras. They were absent 13 years, and in their labors among the Tamil people met with much success. On their return, after a voyage of 123 days, one night of which was spent on the Island of St. Helena, they arrived at London. Soon after, they took a steamer from Liverpool for New York and arrived home August 20, 1869. Mr. WHITE is now preaching at Branchport, a highly esteemed pastor. On leaving India, he was a recipient of an affectionate address, prepared by a native Christina and read in the Tamil language.
Their children were all born in India; Maria Child, born in 1857, Charles born in 1859, William Peregrine, born in 1861 died in India in 1864, Jane R. born in 1863.
William Peregrine WHITE born in 1831, died at home in 1859 of consumption.
George WHITE born at Rock stream in 1836, married Maria WALTERS in 1860. They reside in Ovid, Mich., and have one child, Rubie, born in 1862.
Rhoda, born at Rock Stream, April 5, 1843.
Martha, born in Pultney in 1847.
William P., another son, died of consumption. The mother if this family is still living.
The mother of Rev. Samuel WHITE, left a widow with two sons, Samuel and Charles, subsequently married Rev. Asa BURTON, D.D. of Thetford, VT., celebrated in his day as a Theological Teacher and as an author of what is called the Taste Scheme in Theology. The younger son, Charles WIHTE, D.D., was 20 years, President of Wabash College and died in 1861 at Crawfordsville, Indiana, at the age of 64 years.
Rev. Samuel WHITE was 40 years a member of
the Presbytery of Steuben, and was spoken of very justly as Father WHITE.
His talents were of a high order and his character elevated and highly
social. He died at 72 years in
1864. His later years were passed
on a farm near Rock Stream, where his society was much prized by friends from
far and near. His son, Rev. Charles
T. WHITE, is in all respects a worthy descendant of his venerated father.
Thomas WILSON son of Robert WILSON, was born in Ireland in 1772. He emigrated to New Jersey at 23 years. He moved thence to Romulus, and from there to Reading in 1811, making the original settlement on the farm now owned by Joseph HORTON, on the Old Pre-emption Line, northwest of Dundee. He purchased 105 acres at the Geneva Land Office, at 28 shillings per acre. He sold a part subsequently to Cornelius BODINE, and traded the residue in 1835, for the farm on which his son, James Wilson, now resides on lot 15 in Barrington. He died there in 1851. He married in Romulus, Susanah BUCHANAN (widow HULBURT). She had a daughter, Clarissa HULBURT. By her second marriage, the children were Robert, Rebecca, Sarah, James and Susan. Clarissa HULBURT married William, son of Emanuel COYKENDALL, and had a son, Austin, who is married, lives in Shannon’s Corners and has two children, Anna and Milton.
Robert WILSON married Catharine, daughter of Andrew RAPLEE, and the family is without the county.
Rebecca married Elijah DAVIS. They live in Steuben county. Their children are Benjamin F., Martha, John and Mary. Benjamin F. married Jane WHITE. Martha died a young woman. John married Angeline, daughter of Martin POYNEER Jr. Mary married Allen SPOONER of Milo. Benjamin and John live in Iowa.
Sarah married Asa WALLING. They have six children and live in Steuben county.
James born in Reading in 1818, married Eliza, daughter of Squier COYKENDALL. She was born in 1820. He was a prosperous farmer on the homestead of his father.
Susan married Elias HARGROVE. They live in Iowa and have six children.
The first wife of Thomas WILSON died in 1822 and his second wife was Martha, sister of Gen. George MC CLURE of Bath. After her death he married a third wife, Sarah J. BROWN. By his third marriage the children were Thomas and Mary.
Dr. Walter WOLCOTT is one of the oldest living residents of Starkey, and one of its most noted citizens. His father, Gideon WOLCOTT of Litchfield county, Conn., was a blacksmith, was born in 1750 and married in Connecticut in 1771, Hannah, daughter of Abner WOODWORTH and sister of Molly, the wife of Levi BENTON Sr., Hannah was born in 1754. The family lives at Coxsackie, NY where Walter was born and afterwards moved to Herkimer county. The father died at Catskill in December 1794, while temporarily absent from his family. The mother moved soon after to Pompey, NY, where in the ensuing March her youngest and posthumous child, Betsey, was born. The children were Roger, Erastus, Elisha, Thomas, Olive, Stephen A., Gideon, Walter and Betsey. Soon after the death of the father, the family received a visit form Levi BENTON, Sr., and his wife, who brought Olive home with them. She remained in the family till her marriage by Levi BENTON Sr., to James BARDEN, a brother of Otis BARDEN, and one of the pioneers of the town of Seneca. He died in 1807 and she subsequently became the wife of Dr. Erastus B. WOODWORTH.
In May 1795, the son, Elisha, whose history has already been given in the BENTON records, brought his mother and the younger children to Benton, then Jerusalem. He had been there the year before. The journey was chiefly performed on horseback, the mother carrying her infant child, Betsey, nad Walter riding on the same horse. Soon after the marriage of Elisha, the widow married a second husband, Francis GRISWOLD, and lived on flat Street on lot 62. She died at the house of Patrick QUIN in 1826 and was buried in “Uncle Sim. Royce’s burying ground” near Eddytown.
Her son Robert, born in Salsbury, Conn., in 1773, married Rachel ASH in 1794. She was born in 1773. They moved to Canada and he was a British captain in the War of 1812. At the age of 60 he moved to St. Charles, Kane Co., Illinois, where he died at 90 years, the father of nine children. Erastus left home at aged 19 years, and was never heard from.
Thomas born in 1777, came here with his mother, and afterwards lived in Wayne Co., dying in 1854. HE married Joana KELLEY (widow REED), and they had two children, Ann and Amanda.
Stephen A., born in 1781, learned the trade of cabinetmaker in Canandaigua, and was a very skillful workman. He became a citizen of LeRoy, NY. He married in 1803 Lois, daughter of Judge Ezra PRATT. He died in 1857 and his wife in 1868, at 84 years. Their children were Nathaniel, Stephen, Margaret, Anna, Martha S., John Gregg and Pauline S. Margaret born in 1808 is the second wife of David H. BUELL of Benton. They were married in 1840. John Gregg born in 1821, was a physician of rare intelligence and skill and resided in Penn Yan several years prior to the Rebellion. At the opening of the war he enlisted in the 33rd NYV, fought in several battles and was taken a prisoner and carried to Richmond. After his exchange he was long employed in hospital duty, acting as a surgeon, was afterwards sent by the government as an Army Surgeon to San Francisco and followed the fortunes of an army detachment in the Indian service several times across the plains over the new territories. He finally died at Washington in October 1866, while awaiting a settlement for his services. Anna and Pauline S. reside single at LeRoy, and they with their sister, Margaret, are the only survivors of the family.
Gideon born in 1784 was accidentally killed while the family lived in what is now Benton, by the limb of a tree falling on his head while in the woods.
Betsey born in 1795 is the wife of Patrick QUIN.
Walter WOLCOTT born Aug 3, 1791, was one of the pupils of John L. LEWIS. He lived in the family of Elisha WOILCOTT, and by his own preserving labor obtained the means to acquire the profession of medicine. He studied with Dr. Joshua LEE and Dr. William CORNWELL. While gaining his profession he was a school teacher. His first school was taught in Reading in 1813, and his certificate was signed by John ROBERTS, John DOW and Addie SKINNER. He also taught two summers at Benton Center. He received his diploma in 1816 and commenced his practice in Penn Yan. In 1817 he married Abigail, daughter of William CORNWELL. After living a year or more in Penn Yan, they move to Eddytown, and a year or two later moved to Starkey Corners, where they lived till 1823. They then moved to Rushville, and after a few months returned to Eddytown and remained till 1846, engaged in an extensive practice. They then moved to Dundee where he still resides and still practices his profession. His wife died there in 1865 at 73 years. She was a woman always held in high esteem for her excellence of character. Dr. WOLCOTT has been a remarkable character and has enjoyed in a high degree the confidence and esteem of his fellow men. A careful and skillful physician and surgeon and eminent in his profession, he has been equally attentive to rich and poor without regard to personal reward. No personal calumny or reproach has ever stained his reputation, and he has led a quiet, peaceable and honorable life, of entire sobriety and simplicity. At the age of four score he reads without glasses, and his natural force is still remarkable for his age. He has been a friend of education and was long a school officer in Starkey. Their children were Hiland G., Mary, Sophia, John D. and Walter.
Hiland G., born in 1818, in Penn Yan, was a student of the Yates Academy at Penn Yan, became a school teacher and surveyor, studied medicine with his father and in 1844 was licensed to practice by the Yates County Medical Society. He practiced some times at St. Charles, Ill., when he returned and practiced with his father at Dundee. Subsequently he studied law with James L. SEELY, whose partner he became in 1852 in the law practice. He was admitted to practice law in 1851. He was paymaster of the staff of Gen. Gilbert HURD o the First Brigade of Infantry in the military days. He is a thorough and accomplished lawyer in partnership with James SPICER at Dundee. He married in 1860, Emily C., daughter of Sherlock ANDREWS. They have two children, Helen P. and Edith A.
Mary born in 1820, at Starkey Corners, married in 1860, Amos W. WILCOX of Canton, PA. They now reside at LeRoy, Pennsylvania.
Sophia born in 1822, at Starkey Corners, is single.
John D. born March 19, 1825, in Eddytown was in early life a school teacher, merchant’s clerk and student. He was the first pupil registered at Starkey Seminary. After four years study with his father, he was licenses in September 1849, by the Yates County Medical Society to practice medicine and surgery. He is a member of the Society now and its Secretary, while his father is President. While studying medicine he also studied law with James L. SEELY, and afterwards completed the patter profession with Evert VAN BUREN in Penn Yan, to which place he came in October 1849. He was admitted to the practiced of law in 1850, making Penn Yan his home. He became a partner of Justus S. GLOVER in 1851, and they were associates in practice till 1860. In 1855 he was elected Police Justice and held the office four years. In 1862 he was elected District Attorney of Yates County, and retained the office six years. During the year 1869, he was associated with Stafford C. CLEVELAND as editor and proprietor of the Yates County Chronicle. In military times, he was Judge Advocate of the 28th Brigade of New York militia, on the staff of Gen. Nehemiah RAPLEE, and had previously been surgeon of the old 206th Regiment of Infantry, as had his father before. He is a lawyer of capability and prominence, a good advocate, and a man of unquestioned integrity, practicing in Penn Yan. He married in 1856, Caroline, daughter of Dr. William CORNWELL. Their children are Abigail, Walter, Francis Evert and John. Francis Evert died in infancy.
Walter born in 1827 in Eddytown was bred to the mercantile business; was a clerk at Eddytown, Dundee, Watkins, Rochester, New York, Philadelphia, New Orleans and St. Louis. He was in business as a merchant of Rodney and Vicksburg, Miss., being at the latter place when the war of the Rebellion broke out. He enlisted as a soldier in the Rebel army, and was a Second Lieutenant of the “Vicksburg Volunteer Southrons.” In LONGSTREET’S terrible charge of the second day of Gettysburg, he was one of the slain. All accounts describe him as a brave man, leading his men with undaunted resolution on that bloody field. He was remarkable as a mathematical student and an accomplished violin player.
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