He married, about 1651, Jannetje Segerse, daughter of Cornelis Segerse and Bregje (Jacobsen) Van Voorhondt, whose father had emigrated to Beverwyck in 1642 and succeeded Vande Douch on the farm called "Welysburgh," on Castle Island. Children: `. Reyer, born in 1652, died February 19, 1719; married, in 1676, Ariantje Arentse (Bratt) Otten, daughter of Arent Bratt and widow of Helmer Otten. 2. Symon Jacobse, of whom further. 3. Helen, married, in 1683, Myndert Hartmense Van de Bogart. 4. Jacob, died in 1743; married, about 1684, Gerritje Hendrickse Van Beuren. 5. Machtild, married, about 1683, Johannes Beekman. 6. Cornelis, married (first) in 1695, Marytjie Hendrickse Van Buren, and (second) in 1713, Margarita Albertse. 7. Jannetje, married, in 1695, Casper Sprinystern. 8. Neeltje, married, in 1700, Barant ten Eyck. 9. Lucas, married, in 1720, Elizabeth Dame.

(II) Symon Jacobse, son of Jacob Janse and Jannetje Segerse (Van Voorhondt) Schermerhorn, was born in Albany, New York, in 1658, died in New York City about 1696. He was living in Schenectady as late as 1690, as on February 9, of that year at 5 a.m. he reached Albany with the first tidings of the French and Indian massacre at that place. He had escaped with difficulty, his horse being wounded and he himself shot through the thigh. In the list of killed are the names of his son Johannes, and three of his negroes, while Arnout and Mary, son and daughter of Arnout Cornelis Viele and brother and sister of Symon Schermerhorn's wife, were carried away by the Indians, Arnout being kept a prisoner for three years. In 1691 Symon J. Schermerhorn removed to New York City and seems to have become owner or commanders of some craft navigating the Hudson River. He married, about 1683, Willemptje, daughter of Arnout Cornelise Viele, a man widely known in those days as an Indian interpreter. She survived her husband, and married (second) June 20, 1690, Levinus Winne, and (third) June 19, 1709, Johannes van Hoosen. Children: 1. Johannes, baptized in Albany, July 23, 1684, killed at Schenectady, February 9, 1690. 2. Arnout, of whom further. 3. Maria, baptized in New York, July 5, 1693. 4. Jannetje, baptized in New York, March 24, 1695.

(III) Arnout, son of Symon Jacobse and Willemptje (Viele) Schermerhorn, was baptized in Albany, New York, November 7, 1686, died in New York City, December 2, 1749. It is not known how he and his mother escaped the Indian massacre at Schenectady in 1690, but he seems early to have adopted his father's calling and is styled in the old records "mariner." In 1726-29-30 he bought from his father-in-law three parcels of land or water lots on the south side of Queen (now Pearl) Street between Beekman and Fulton Streets as they have since been opened and extended. He also owned the land on Fulton Street that is occupied by Fulton Market which he deeded to the city for the use of a market to be held by the city so long as used for that purpose, otherwise to revert to the family. On part of these lands he built a wharf long known by his name, and on part he built his residence and place of business. January 21, 1733, he executed in Charleston, South Carolina, a full power of attorney to his wife Marytje, in which he is described as "late of the City of New York, but now of Charles Town in the Province of South Carolina," and April 21, 1738, he executed another wherein he is described as "of Charleston, South Carolina, Shop-Keeper." His business was probably that of ship chandler, and like his son John he probably owned a vessel trading between New York and Charleston. He married about 1710, Marytie, daughter of Johannes Beekman, of New York, and granddaughter of William Beekman, of Overyssel, Holland, and New Amsterdam. Children: 1. Catharina, baptized May 10, 1711. 2. Willemyntje, baptized October 14, 1713. 3. Johannes, of whom further. 4. Aeltje, baptized May 19, 1717. 5. Jannetje, baptized September 20, 1719. 6. Symon, baptized August 6, 1721.

(IV) John (Johannes) son of Arnout and Marytje (Beekman) Schermerhorn, was born in New York City, July 8, 1715, baptized in the Dutch Church there the following July 13, and died there, September 10, 1768. There is a family tradition that this John participated in the "Boston tea party." Like his father and grandfather, he was a

Page 757

seafaring man, master and probably owner of vessels trading between new York and Charleston, South Carolina. In the old records he is styled "mariner' and "merchant." He also engaged ion fitting out privateers during the war between England and France. He married June 10, 1741, Sarah, daughter of John Cannon, a descendant of John and Marie (Le Grand) Cannon and Pierre Le Grand, the Huguenot refugees of New Rochelle. She died December 30, 1742. Children: 1. Arnout, born March 12, 1742. 2. Mary, baptized December 21, 1743; tradition says she hobnobbed with the British officers and secured valuable information which she delivered to General Washington which aided that general materially in his movements; married (first) Joseph Marshchalk, (second) John Byvanck. 3. John, baptized January 15, 1746. 4, Simon, baptized January 20, 1748, died in 1818; married, in 1773, Jane Bussing. 5. Peter, of whom further. 6. Sarah, born October 3, 1751; married, in 1771, James A. Stewart. 7. Catherine, born November 28, 1753. 8. Abraham, born March 27, 1755. 9. Cornelius, born December 10, 1756. 10. Catherine, born March 21, 1759, died March 26, 1848; unmarried. 1. Esther, born July 10, 1761, died July 20, 1761. 12. Hester, born December 18, 1762, died August 17, 1763.

(V) Peter, son of John (Johannes) and Sarah (Cannon) Schermerhorn, was born in New York city, October 1, 1749, died at his residence, No. 69 Broadway, New York City, January 28, 1826. At an early age he adopted the calling of his father and grandfather, but in 1776, after the "Asia" fired upon the town and before the British took possession, he removed with his family to the neighborhood of Hyde Park on the Hudson River and remained there until 1783. His motives for this removal were mostly political but it incidentally saved many of his vessels from seizure. After returning to New York, he established himself in business as a ship chandler, admitting his second son Peter in 1802, and his third son Abraham in 1808, into partnership with him. In 1791 his place of business and residence were at 71 and 73 Water Street, in 1794, at 220 and 224 Water Street, and in 1799 at transferred his business to 243 Water Street and his residence to 68 Broadway. In 1795 he and his brother Simon bought about one hundred and sixty acres at Gowanus (Brooklyn) where they made their summer homes. In 1816 he bought out his brother Simon's interest, and gave the whole property to his son Abraham. A part of the property now lies in Greenwood cemetery. In 1896, he bought about four and a half acres on the East River at the foot of Eighty-second Street and used this for his summer residence, until his death. January 31, 1809, with Mathew Clarkson, Herman LeRoy, Henry Rogers and Gulian Ludlow, he conveyed to the "Rector, Churchwardens and Vestrymen of Grace Church" the property upon which that church was then being built. In 1796 he was elected a director of the Bank of New York.

He married, September 11,1771, Elizabeth, daughter of Abraham and Elizabeth (Mesier) Bussing, who died in New York City, January 8, 1809. Children: 1. John, of whom further. 2. Peter, born April 22, 1781, died June 23, 1852; married, April 5, 1804, Sarah Jones. 3. Abraham, born April 9, 1783, died February 3, 1850; married, September 12, 1809, Helen White. 4. George, born May 16, 1785, died October 23, 1785. 5. Elizabeth, born June 15, 1787; married Edward R. Jones. 6. Jane, born March 25, 1792; married Rev. William Creighton.

(VI) John, son of Peter and Elizabeth (bussing) Schermerhorn, was born in New York City, June 13, 1775, and was baptized in Grace Church the following June 25. He died in New York City in 1822. He was a ship chandler and owner of several merchant vessels with an office and warehouse in the neighborhood of Stone and Water Streets. He married Rebecca H. Stevens. Among his children were 1. Horatio, of whom further, 2. George S., 3. John, who was a graduate in medicine.

(VII) Horatio, son of John and Rebecca H. (Stevens) Schermerhorn, was born in New York City, in 1805, died there in 1885. In 1837 he removed to white Stone, Long Island, where he lived on a farm until 1854, when he returned to New York City. He and his brother, George S., were engaged in ship chandlery and owned and operated a ropewalk in Schermerhorn Street, Brooklyn, New York. He served as warden in

Page 758

the Episcopal Church. He married Sarah, daughter of Dr. John C. Strobel, an eminent physician of New York city, who was born there in 1810. Children: 1. Rebecca Stevens, widow of Samuel M. Jacobus (see Jacobus VI). 2. John Peter, was captain in the Seventh Regiment, New York National Guard at the beginning of the Civil War; was a Mason, past master of Knickerbocker Lodge of New York city. 3. Emeline. 4. William H., served in the Civil War in the Seventh New York Regiment; was also a Mason. 5. Horatio. 6. Howard A., of whom further. 7. Frank. Three of these children survive.

(VIII) Howard A., son of Horatio and Sarah (Strobel) Schermerhorn, was born in White Stone, Long Island, June 2, 1847, and is now living in White Plains, Westchester County, New York. He received his education at President Hunter's School on West Thirteenth Street, New York City, and afterwards carried on an extensive hardware business at 215 Chambers Street, which he sold out in 1891, as he wished to take up his residence in the country, and for that purpose removed to White Plains, residing at Fountain Square. He has also been very successful in the real estate business, which he carried on from his own home. He has done much toward building up the part of White Plains in which he lives, erecting many houses for residential purposes. In 1895 Mr. Schermerhorn presented the city of White Plains with a very much needed drinking fountain cut out from a large piece of Tuckahoe or white marble. His fountain was set up at the junction of Central Avenue and the Tarrytown road, within a stone's throw of Mr. Schermerhorn's own home, and thus gave the name to the present Fountain Square. He married, June 5, 1901, Ethie Livingston Stengal, a descendant of the well known family of Hanover, Germany.

POWELL. Thomas Powell, the immigrant ancestor, was the progenitor of all the Long Island, practically all of the New York, and some of the New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Maryland Powells. He was born in august, 1641, and it is supposed that he came from Wales. A great granddaughter of Thomas Powell, of Bethpage, Nassau Island, New York, told her children that they were related to the Virginia Powells. In 1662 he was recorded as giving written testimony in a suit brought against Joanna Wood, widow of Jones Wood Haln. In 1669 he was attorney for Mr. Thomas Matthews, and sold land for him in Oyster Bay to Joseph Ludham. In 1663 John Westcoat deeded land to him, and this seems to have been the first record of land he bought, although in 1662 he had a house. In 1663 he was recorder; in 1666 he was one of the "Trustees of the Freeholders of the Town of Huntington"; in 1667 he was constable; in 1670 he was allowed to make an addition to his land; in 1681 he was overseer; in 1682 he refused to serve as constable; in 1684 he and one other obtained a patent from governor Nichols for the town; in 1686 he was on a committee to go to Southampton for the town; in 1689 he deeded land in Huntington to Thomas and Martha Whitson; in 1692 he was ordered by a writ from the King to appear before the court to give reasons why he should not pay ministers' rates; in 1700 he deeded to Thomas Whitson, one-third of his Bethpage land, and they built houses there where their descendants lived for many yeas, and to this day they have never left the Powell family. After he sold his property in Huntington, he bought land in Bethpage, where in 1688 he built a house for his son Thomas which is still standing and owned by descendants. He received the deed for this land from the Indians in 1695. He is last mentioned on the records, December 28, 1721, when he died, at Westburn, Long Island, "being well respected a a worthy Friend--and died in unity with Friends."

The name of his first wife is not known. He married (second) Elizabeth Phillips, of Jericho, Long Island, September 2, 1690. She was probably the daughter of Theophilus Phillips, of Flushing; she married him in 1685, and he died in 1686; she was his third wife. Children of first wife: 1. Thomas, mentioned below. 2. Abigail, born April 18, 1668. 3. Elizabeth. 4. John. 5. Jonas. 6. Caleb. 7. Wait. 8. Elisha. By second wife: 9. Hannah, born May 28, 1691. 10. Phebe, June 10, 1693. 11. Rachel. 12. Mercy, 1702. 13. Solomon. 14. Sarah. 15. Amy.

(II) Thomas (2), son of Thomas (1)

Page 759

Powell, married Mary, daughter of Thomas and Dinah (Townsend) Willets, of Jericho. They lived at Bethpage, having the first house built in that neighborhood. When they built there were Indian wigwams nearby He died at Bethpage, September 27, 1731. Children: 1. Thomas, born may 30, 1693. 2. Mary, November 4, 1694, died in February, 1695. 3. Abigail, December 13, 1695. 4. Mary, march 10, 1697. 5. Wait, September 29, 1698. 6. Amos, of Islip, May 9, 1700. 7. Moses, mentioned below. 8. Richard, April 17, 1704. 9. Elizabeth, October 11, 1705. 10. Hannah. July 18, 1709. 11. Isaac, April, 1711. 12. Martha, June 29, 1713. 13. Deborah, October 28, 1715.

(III) Moses, son of Thomas (2) Powell, was born May 4, 1702, died in 1774. He married, in 1732, Catharine, daughter of John and Hannah Hallock, of Brookhaven, Westchester County, New York. In 1754 he sold his land at Bethpage, to Joseph Prior, and moved to Westchester County at that time. Children: 1. Moses, born January 26, 1733, died 1737. 2. John, October 11, 1734-35. 3. Anna, October 26, 1737. 4. Nathaniel, mentioned below. 5. Moses, November 5, 1741. 6. Hannah, November 5, 171743. 7. Obadiah, May 16, 1745. 8. Catharine, march 30, 1746. 9. Edward, March 5, 1748. 10. James, December 25, 1750.

(IV) Nathaniel, son of Moses Powell, was born at Bethpage, in 1739, died February 12, 1807. He moved from Northcastle to Saltpoint, Dutchess County, New York, a place twelve miles northeast of Poughkeepsie, July 14, 1772. He married Anna, daughter of Joseph and Deborah Sutton. Children, born at Saltpoint: 1. Stephen, 2. Joseph, mentioned below. 3. Nathaniel. 4. Henry. 5. Anna. 6. Phebe. 7. Elizabeth. 8. Catherine. 9. Emma. 10. Mary. 11. Hannah. 12. Esther. 13. Lydia. 14. Deborah.

(V) Joseph, son of Nathaniel Powell, was born in Northcastle, Westchester County, New York. He married -------------. Children: 1. Jacob. 2. Clark. 3. Henry. 4. Nelson. 5. Lydia. 6. Elizabeth.

(I) Joseph Powell, descendant of the Westchester and Dutchess county Powells, mentioned above, lived at Peekskill in the town of Cortlandt, Westchester County, New York, and died there March 29, 1886. He followed farming all his active life. He married, October 20, 1840, Mary J., daughter of Samuel H. and Eliza B. (Welsh) Pennock. Her father was born January 11, 1795; her mother, August 5, 1799, and they had two children: Mary J., born August 1, 1818, mentioned above, and Emily, May 9, 1822. Children of Mr. and Mrs. Powell, all born in Cortlandt: 1. Stephen A., August 9, 1841, resides in New York City. 2. Charles E., September 8, 1845, lives in Elizabeth, New Jersey, married Cynthia Dickerson. 3. Emerson J., July 9, 1847, married Sadie Roe, of Kingston, New York. 4. Floyd F., mentioned below. 5. George B., February 19, 1862, married Alice Horton, of Croton, New York.

(II) Floyd F., son of Joseph Powell, was born at Peekskill, New York, November 6, 1852. He was educated there in the public schools and at Peekskill Military Academy and Scientific Institution under Principal C. E. Searles. Farming was his vocation for many years. Afterwards he was a commission merchant, dealing in fruits and produce. He was also for twelve years in the real estate business, junior partner of the well-known firm of Barger & Powell of Peekskill. Inn politics he was a steadfast Democrat, but he never cared for public office. He was a communicant of the Dutch Reformed Church. He was a musician of skill and ability and played for two years in the Peekskill City Band. He married, November 15, 1894, Carrie H., daughter of Bruce and Mary E. (Hancock) Scribner. William Hancock, father of Mary E. (Hancock) Scribner, married in England, Susie Speare and they had three children: 1. John B., born in England; married Annie Denike, Annie Brotherton and Kate Hearst. 2. George, born in Peekskill; married Susie Tompkins, of Peekskill, and had two children, born in Chicago: Lillie and Hattie. 3. Mary E., born in Peekskill; married Bruce Scribner, and had four children: George, Fred, Walter T., Carrie H., mentioned above. The Hancocks were all Methodists in religion.

PURDY. Alvin Purdy, the first member of this family of whom we have definite information, was born January 11, 1757, died in Yorktown, Westchester County, New York, July 16, 1830. He married Lydia Hunt, born about 1759, died January 27, 1842. Children, all

Page 760

born at Yorktown: 1. Alsop, died February 3, 1802. 2. David, died March 24, 1813. 3. Alvin, referred to below.

(II) Alvin (2), son of Alvin (1), and Lydia (Hunt) Purdy, was born in Yorktown, Westchester County, New York, died there aged seventy-three years, buried at Yorktown. He was a member of the Presbyterian Church there. He married Jane E., daughter of Gilbert and Mary (Scribner) Tompkins, of Hyde Park, Dutchess County, New York. Her brothers and sisters were: 1. Hannah. 2. Mary. 3. Gilbert. 4. Elias, and 5. Ellen. Children of Alvin and Jane e. (Tompkins) Purdy: 1. Anna E., born January 16, 1830, died December 24, 1912. 2. Ezra L., born in August, 1831; living in Peekskill, New York; married Augusta Stansbury, of Somers; children: i. Elida, married Alonzo R. Hart, of Peekskill, ii. Marian, married George B. rich, of Shruboak, New York. 3. John, referred to below. 4. Mary, married Alexander Titus, child, Mary, living at Montrose, New York, married Jackson Odell. 5. Harriet S. 6. Martha J., born December 25, 1835. 7. James A., living at Amawalk, New York, married Mary E. Higgins, of Shruboak, no children. 8. Howell T.

(III) John, son of Alvin (2) and Jane E. (Tompkins) Purdy, was born in Yorktown, Westchester County, New York, February 26, 1832, and is now living there on the old homestead farm, with his sister, Martha J. he is a farmer, and for many years was a carpenter and builder.

BARNES. Ezra Barnes, born 1730, died 1805, was the progenitor of the Barnes family of Preston, Connecticut. His ancestry has not been traced and he may been a first settler.

(II) Ezra (2), son or grandson of Ezra (1) Barnes, was born in Preston, educated there, and followed farming during his active life in his native town. He married Judith Palmer, of Preston. They had twelve children: 1. James, born at Preston, August, 1807, died March 28, 1880; resided in Mobile from 1834 to 1860, in Connecticut the next five years, and in Mobile and Hot Springs, later living in Brooklyn, where he died; married at Mobile, February 26, 1845, Mary Richeson, born June 5, 1825, daughter of Frederick Cleveland. 2. Reuben, mentioned below. 3. Tyler. 4. Clarissa. 5. Anna. 6. Esther. 7. Fanny. 8. Olive; four other not on record.

(II) Reuben, son of Ezra (2) Barnes, was born in Preston, Connecticut, in 1810, died in 1891, at the advanced age of eighty-one years. He was educated in the public schools. He learned the trade of carpenter and for many years was in business in Yonkers, New York, as a carpenter and builder. He was a quiet, kindly man, capable in business and characterized by sound common sense and sterling qualities. In politics he was a Republican, but he never south or held public office. In religion he was a Methodist and he was a member of the First Methodist Church and also a charter member of the Central Methodist Episcopal Church of which he was a trustee. He married for his second wise, Nancy R., daughter of William Sample, (see Sample).

(The Sample Line.)

William Sample was born March 20, 1804, in Beaver County, Pennsylvania. He was educated in the public schools and followed the trade of tanner. He resided in Williamsburg, Massachusetts, and New Haven, Connecticut. He and his wife were both members of the Methodist Episcopal Church of New Haven and were active in the Washingtonian movement and other temperance organizations. In his later years he was a Republican in politics. He married, at North Hampton, Massachusetts, Mary Eliza, born March 7, 1812. They had six children: 1. Jane S., born November 29, 1832; married William H. Hulsappie, of Albany, New York; no children; now living with Mrs. Nancy R. Barnes, Yonkers, New York. 2. Mary L., born September 27, 1834; married Noyes Wilmot of Connecticut; no children. 3. Nancy R., born September 2, 1837; died young. 4. Nancy R., born September 26, 1839; married Reuben Barnes (see Barnes.) 5. Lyrtia R., born April 3, 1843; married Rev. William H. Barton, now living at Huntington, Long Island, where he has a pastorate; sons: Oliver S. and Bernard G., born in New Haven, Connecticut. 6. William A., born June 1, 1849, died young. Only two, Jane A. and Nancy R., are living (1912); the others are buried at New Haven, Connecticut.

Page 761

(The Root Line.)

(I) John Roote, the immigrant ancestor, came from Badby parish,. Northamptonshire, England, and settled in Farmington, Connecticut. He married about 1600, Ann Russel. It is supposed that he returned to England and died at Badby. Children: 1. Mary, baptized December 21, 1600. 2. Susanna, baptized October 18, 1603. 3. Thomas, mentioned below. 4. John, February 16, 1608.

(II) Thomas, son of John Roote, was baptized January 16, 1605, in Badby, Northamptonshire, England, and came to this country about 1637. He was among the first settlers of Hartford, Connecticut, where he lived for about fifteen years, and where all his children were born. His name appears on the Founders' Monument there, and in 1639 he is called a "considerable" landholder. On May 9, 1654, he removed with his family to Northampton, Massachusetts, and became one of the eight planters of what was then called Nonotuck. He was selectman, and is supposed to have been a deacon of the church there. By occupation he was a farmer and weaver of cloth. He was a soldier in the Pequot War. he died July 17, 1694, and left a will, in which he mentioned all his children and the fact that he lived with his son Jonathan at the old homestead. His wife's name is unknown. Children, born at Hartford: 1. Joseph, mentioned below. 2. Thomas, about 1644. 3. John, January 10, 1646. 4. Jonathan, died December 25, 1741. 5. Hezekiah, died September 29, 1690. 6. Jacob. 7. Sarah.

(III) Joseph Root, as the name is now spelled, son of Thomas Roote, was born in Hartford about 1640, and removed in 1654, with his father, to Northampton, where he lived the rest of his life. His record of land at Northampton was dated February 29, 1659, and he died there April 19, 1711. He married (first) December 30, 1660, Hannah, daughter of Edmund Haynes, of Springfield, Massachusetts. She died January 28, 1691, and he married (second) Mary, daughter of William Holton, and widow of David Burt. She died in 1713. Children: 1. Hannah, born July 9, 1662. 2. Joseph, January 15 or 20, 1664. 3. Thomas, April 13, 1667. 4. John, September 11, 1669. 5. Sarah, March 4, 1672. 6. Hope, September 25, 1675. 7. Hezekiah, mentioned below.

(IV) Hezekiah, son of Joseph root, was born at Northampton, January 1, 1677, died in 1766. He married, March 23, 1713, Martha, daughter of John and Mary (Sheldon) Bridgman. She died June 4, 1766. Children, born at Northampton: 1. Hezekiah, January 29, 1714. 2. Dorothy, October 7, 1715. 3. Simeon, April 20, 1718. 4. Martha, married John Miller. 5. Jemima, April 1, 1722. 6. Hannah, died unmarried. 7. Miriam, born February 29, 1726. 8. Joseph, mentioned below. 9. Esther, died September 14, 1747. 10. Orlando.

(V) Joseph, son of Hezekiah Root, was born at Northampton, in 1728, died there November 4, 1802. He married, May 9, 1754, Eunice Clapp, of Northampton, who died April 27, 1802, aged sixty-nine years. Children, born at Northampton: 1. Eleanor, born December 31, 1755. 2. Eunice, December 1, 1757. 3. Simeon, mentioned below. 4. Almira, 1764. 5. Martha, 1766. 6. Amelia, 1768. 7. Joseph, February 28, 1769. 8. Sarah R., September 15, 1773. 9. Dorothy, 1775.

(VI) Simeon, son of Joseph root, was born in Northampton, March 25, 1760, died at Roberts Meadows, Northampton, June 8, 1813. He was a soldier in the Revolution from Northampton, a private in Captain Jonathan Stearn's company, Colonel Dickinson's regiment under the command of Major Jonathan Clapp, July 9 to August 12, 1777, at Ticonderago; also in Captain Samuel Fairfield's Company, Colonel Nathan Sparhark's regiment. At the age of twenty, July 2, 1780, he enlisted in the Continental Army for six months. In the Revolutionary records of that date he is described as five feet five inches in height and of light complexion. His service was credited to Northampton. He married at Northampton, June 27, 1782, Elizabeth Clark, who was born in 1759. Children: 1. Child, died April 7, 1785. 2. John, mentioned below. 3. Nancy. 4. Child, died July 31, 1797. 5. Child, died December 4, 1800, perhaps other children.

(VII) John, son of Simeon Root, was born about 1790, in Roberts Meadows, Northampton, Massachusetts. He was a farmer. He married Rosina Knapp of Thompson, Connecticut. She died at Roberts Meadows aged eighty-two years, in 1870. Children, born at Roberts Meadows; 1. Jonathan Dwight, married Lucia Todd, of Chesterfield, Massachusetts, and had one son Leonidas.

Page 762

2, Mary Eliza, married William Sample, (see Sample). 3. Julianna, married Ira Todd, and had six children:; Juliette, Ira, Irene, Caroline, Rosina, and Josephine Todd. 4. Rosina. 5. John Alfred, mentioned below.

(VIII) John Alfred, son of John and Rosina (Knapp) Root, was born at Roberts Meadows, Massachusetts, and later removed to Haydenville, Massachusetts, where he died. He married Arrietta Hill of Williamsburg, Massachusetts, and they were the parents of ten children, only two of whom are living at the present time: they are; 1. Anna, who married Henry Wentworth, and lives in Northampton, Massachusetts; 2. Eloise, married Charles Stone, of Athol, Massachusetts, where she now resides.

ROBINSON. Zelotus Robinson was born February 5, 1755, and settled in Danbury, Connecticut. A careful search has failed to reveal the names of his parents, but without doubt he was on one of the early New England families of this name. The history of Danbury (p. 162) describes his resident on the east end of Elm Street, the first house on the north side. He was a butcher by trade. In the census of 1790, he is reported from Danbury having five sons under sixteen and two females in his family. His name is spelled "Roberts" in the lists. From family records we have his birth date and the following facts. He married, in 1776, Anna Walley, of an old Fairfield County, Connecticut, family. She was born august 10, 1758, died in 1832. He died July 16, 1845. Children, born at Danbury or vicinity: 1. Lewis, April 4, 1777. 2. Joseph, October 16, 1779. 3. John, February 11, 1782. 4. William, December 17, 1784. 5. George, May 31, 1787. 6. James W., mentioned below. 7. Annie, October 21, 1792. 8. Hulda, 1794.

(II) James W., son of Zelotus Robinson, was born at Danbury, Connecticut, May 27, 1790. In early life, after receiving his education in the common schools and learning his trade, he engaged in business as a merchant tailor, in New York City, where he became a prominent and successful citizen. He acquired a substantial fortune and invested it shrewdly in real estate. He bought large tracts of land at Ossining, and in the course of time this land became very valuable for building sites. One tract of his land extended from Broad Avenue to the top of Sparta Hill, and when his property was developed he named James, William and Edward Streets for his three sons. They were born in a house on the present site of the Mangan House on South Highland Avenue, Ossining. A few years after he came to Ossining he built a handsome stone house in which he lived during his later years and which is now known as the Helm House. He married, July 13, 1815, Hannah, daughter of Peter Dobb, of New York City. Her father was born in New York City, December 2, 1760. Died in 1818. Her mother, charity (Cox) Dobb, was born March 5, 1768. Children of Peter and charity Dobb: 1. Mary, born October 2, 1785. 2. Peter, April 6, 1788, died 1789. 3. Jordan, February 8, 1790, died 1793. 4. Charlotte, September 28,. 1792, died in 1802. 5. Hannah, July 27, 1795, died in 1884. 6. Eliza, 1797. Children of James W. and Hannah Robinson, born in New York City, and Ossining: 1. Mary A., November, 1817. 2. Mary J., May 1, 1819. 3. Eliza C., March 14, 1821. 3. Julia A., May 4, 1823. 4. Hattie N., August 16, 1825. 5. James W., August 13, 1827. 6. William H., December 29, 1829. 7. Emma P., December 30, 1831. 8. Angeline S., February, 1834. 9, Edward Augustus, mentioned below. 10. Charlotte M., March, 1838. 11. Pierce A., November 20, 1839.

Top

Mardos Memorial Library

Transcribed by Holice B. Young

Html by D. J. Coover

Copyright © 2000 - 2003 D. J. Coover All Rights Reserved Webmaster: D. J. Coover