The following family group descriptions are adapted from Hamilton Child's "Gazetteer of Jefferson County, N.Y.", published in 1890. The families are arranged alphabetically by township, and wherever possible, a link has been made to a Jefferson County Pioneer. We welcome any corrections and additions to the information presented.
This project has only been made possible through the efforts of several volunteers, directed by Shirley Farone, who has been a behind-the-scenes participant in this website from the very beginning. The original idea came from Sharon Patchett, who is also giving her time to the project. Sisters Marcia Alary and Barbara Britt, both of whom have been volunteering on other projects for the website, are also working on this, and the newest volunteer, Gary Roe, was one of the first to get his work in. We are grateful to each of them for making this material so easily available.
John Adams, son of Henry, was born in Rodman, and in 1834 located at Pillar Point in this town where he now resides. He married Eunice Farewell of Denmark, Lewis County, who died in 1888, aged 78 years. She was a daughter of Solomon and Sabina (Burlingame) Farewell, and their children were Seth O., Cordelia S., Edwin, Laura L., Cynthia H., Kendrick S., Dianthia V., Levi D., and Milo J. The latter married Laverne E., daughter of James R. and Margaret (Satchwell) Adams of Pillar Point and now resides in this town. James R. Adams was born in Rodman and in 1832 located at Pillar Point with his father where he still resides. He married, first, Margaret, daughter of Josiah and Catharine (Billinger) Satchwell, and their children were Mary C., Albert, Charlotte and Laverne. He married for his second wife, Mrs. Susan Lepper, daughter of Henry and Mary (Keith) Lepper, and now resides at Pillar Point at the age of 71 years. His daughter, Mary, married Charles D. Emerson and they have three children, Rollins A., Sterling, and Myra L., and reside at Kearney, Nebraska.
John Adams was a son of Moses, who served in the French and Indian war. He was born in New Hampshire and about 1815 emigrated to Rodman where he died. He married Mary Rollins, and their children were Hepsibah, Abigail, Mary, John, Henry, James Moses, Joseph, Jesse, and Seth. His son, Henry, who served in the War of 1812, was born in New Hampshire and located at Pillar Point in this town in 1832 on a farm on road 56, where he remained until his death in 1870, aged 88 years. He married Hannah, daughter of Deacon Solomon Ingles, of New Hampshire, and their children were Solomon I., John, Doddridge, Mary, Philip D., James R., Maria, Charlotte, and Henry. The latter was born in the town of Nelson, N. H., and in 1834 located at Pillar Point in this town. He married, first, Eliza Spicer of Hounsfield, by whom he has one child, Alexander S. By his second wife, Mrs. Emily Ackerman, daughter of John C. Dickinson, he has had children as follows: Jane C. (Mrs. Alfred Ackerman) of Kenosha County, Wis., and Edwin R., who married Hattie, daughter of John and Mary (Ackerman) Crandall of Watertown, and their children are Brayton C., Charles B., Henry W., and Myrtle.
William Adams, a native of Bradford-on- Avon, Eng. emigrated to the village of Dexter about 1840, where he remained until his death in 1878, aged 62 years. He married Martha Keats, also a native of England, and their children were Helen, Mary, and Fred M. The latter married Eva, daughter of Alfred and Margery (Luther) Emerson, in 1878, and now resides on road 51. John Adams, also of Bradford-on-Avon, located in Dexter in 1840, where he married Sarah Hilliker, who bore him children as follows: Julia (deceased), Sarah, Albert, who served in Co. I, 10th N. Y. H. A., and is now deceased, Mary A. (Mrs. Malcomb Ross), of Saginaw, Mich., and Gideon. The latter married Elmina A., daughter of Daniel and Betsey (Spenser) Wilson, of Dexter, and their children are Julia E., Melvin D., Ernest E., Lillie B., John A., and George A., and he now resides on road 51, where he has lived 22 years. He served in Co. I, 10th N. Y. H. A., three years, was in the Shenandoah Valley campaign and at Peteresburg, and was honorably discharged.
Cyrus Allen, a sailor, a native of Rhode Island, died in 1799. His wife was Julia A. Taylor, and his son Cyrus was born in Rhode Island, and in 1812 removed to this town, where he now resides, at the advanced age of 88 years. He married Louisa, daughter of Nathaniel and Abigail (Starr) Peck, of Brownville, by whom he had children as follows: Abbie P., James W., Addis E., and Julia A. His son, J. W., married Mrs. Clara Baker, daughter of Jacob March, and their children are Frank J., Ida May, and Irene. He resides on the home farm with his father.
Ebenezer Allison, a native of New Hampshire, came to Brownville while young and first worked at the carpenters' trade, finally locating upon a farm on road 28, where he died at the advanced age of 83 years. He took part in the battle of Sackets Harbor in the War of 1812. He married Phebe Phelps of Brownville and their children were Sally, Polly, Esther, Julia, Henry W., Jane, Hannah, Lovina, Simeon, and Harlow. The latter married Sarah A., daughter of William and Catharine (McCormick) Allen, of this town, and they have two children, Wayne and Edward. He resides in this town on the homestead farm where he has lived 18 years.
Robert Anderson, whose father served in the War of 1812, was a native of Saratoga County. He resided for a long time in LeRay, then removed to Watertown, from there to Michigan, and finally located in Oswego, where he died at the age of 73 years. He married Martha Johnson, who died in Oswego at the age of 63 years. Their children were Joseph, George, Harry, Wesley, Julia and Amanda M. The latter married Alvaro, son of Martin and Cornelia Porter, of Fort Ann, Washington County, and they had children as follows: Nelson, Cornelia, Geoge W., Julia A., Martha C., Hattie A., Elizabeth A., Charles G., Ellen S., Lizzie and Nellie. Mrs. Porter survives her husband at the age of 67 years and resides in the village of Dexter.
Frederick Avery, a native of Vermont, came to Brownville at an early day and was the first settler on a farm on road 7, now known as the Avery farm. He served as major in the War of 1812 and lived in this town until his death in 1853 aged 73 years. He married Celia Emerson who died in 1854, aged 62 years, having reared four children, of whom Sterling, born in this town, married Sarah, daughter of Joseph and Mary (White) Harrison, who survives him, he having died in 1886, aged 56 years. Their children were John W., Brayton E., Charles E., and Celia E. Charles E., who resides on the homestead farm with his mother, married Cora, daughter of Edwin and Adelaide Johnson of Clayton and they have one daughter, Blanche.
James Bauter lived and died in La Fargeville in the town of Orleans. His wife, Mary, bore him nine children, among whom was James, who was born in Herkimer County, whence he removed to Brownville where he lived 15 years, dying in 1881, aged 56 years. He married Harriet, daughter of Elijah and Laney (House) Gray of Orleans Four Corners, who bore him five children, viz.: Esther M., Rose E., Frank W., and Ida May. His widow survives him at the age of 60 years and resides on the homestead farm with Frank W. and Ida May.
George Bell was a native of County Down, Ireland, where he died. He had five children. His son, George, born in 1776, married Margaret Buchanan, of the same place, in 1802, and she died January 8, 1866, aged 82 years. He came to America in 1812, and was taken prisoner by the British and held three years. In 1815 he located in Washington County, this state, and in 1826 removed to this town, where he died in 1841, aged 65 years. His children were Mary, John, James A., George P., Robert R., and William. The latter was born in Hebron, Washington County, in 1819. He came to Brownville with his parents. He married Betsey, daughter of Henry W., and Susan (Overocker) Seeber, in 1842, and their children are Eliza S., Susan E., Lysander W., Mary J., James H., Emma A., and Alice C. He is a retired farmer, and resides in the village of Dexter.
William Berry, son of William, was born in Massachusetts, and during the War of 1812 removed to this town, where he remained three years, finally locating in Canada, where he died at the age of 60 years. He married Ellen J. Kane, of Canada, and they had nine childre, viz: John, Susan, Betsey, Margaret, Gilena, Mary Ann, Alexander, William, and James H. The latter married Julia, daughter of Jane (Ferguson) Cristie, and their children are Ellen J., William H., Minnie A., Lucy M., Cleora S., Archie A., George W., Flora A., and Iona M. Mr. Berry served in the late war in Co. I, 10th N. Y. Artillery, for three years, was honorably discharged, and is now drawing a pension. He resides in the village of Dexter.
Josiah Bonney was born near Cape Cod, Mass., and in 1808 settled on a farm in this town. He served at Sackets Harbor in the War of 1812, and died in Brownville in 1848, aged 61 years. He married Betsey Morse of Vermont. Of their five children, George married Betsey, daughter of William and Rhoda (Gould) Knox, of Brownville, and they had children, as follows: Brayton and Amelia G. (deceased), Emma L., and Madison. Mrs. Bonney survives her husband at the age of 71 years. Their daughter Emma L, married Oscar C. Wilson, and resides on the homestead farm. Madison Bonney, of this town, married Ella E., daughter of Benjamin S., and Annie E. (Irwin) Horr, of Stone Mills, and their children are Florence M., Mabel I., George S., Raymond H., and Grace G. William Knox, father of Mrs. Betsey Bonney, served in the War of 1812. He was born in Tunbridge, Vt., and when 19 years of age removed to Sackets Harbor, and cut the first tree where that village now stands.
William Brothers, of Germany, emigrated to America and located in Middleburg, Vt., where he died. Of his three children, John, born in Vermont, emigrated to Watertown where he died at the advanced age of 90 years. He married Lucy, daughter of Ira Brant of Albany, who died at the age of 92 years. Their children were Rachel, Sarah, Robert D., and John J. The latter was born at Dutch Hill, near Albany, and in 1845 located in Watertown. In 1852 he removed to Brownville, where he now resides. He has been twice married. By his first wife, Margaret Woodard, daughter of Ebenezer, he had five children, viz.: Alton M., Ebenezer, Amy, Mansel, and Morris. He married, second, Sally, daughter of Micah and Margaret (Vebbar) Willard of Antwerp, with whom he now lives on road 59, where he has resided for 35 years. Micah Willard served in the War of 1812 at Sackets Harbor. A certificate in the possession of one of his descendants shows that he served without remuneration and clothed and fed himself. He died at the age of 72 years and his wife at the age of 67.
Richard Buckminster was born in Plattsburgh, N. Y., in 1800. In 1816 he located in Watertown, and in 1819 removed to this town, where he remained until his death in 1884, aged 84 years. He married Mary, daughter of Frederick Avery, and they had six children, viz.: Charles, Nancy, Myron, Frederick, Bruce and Woodruff. The latter married Adelaide, daughter of John and Elizabeth (Vaughn) Buckminster, of this town, and they had one son, now deceased. Frederick Buckminster maried Florence, daughter of John N. and Mary A. (Knox) Cole, of Brownville, and they had one son, Evan. Mr. Buckminster served in Co. I, 10th N. Y. H.A., in the late war, and died July 13, 1870, aged 29 years. His widow survives him and resides on a farm on road 16.
Ashahel Calkins, a native of this state, died in Oswego County. His wife, Lena Savins, bore him 12 children, one of whom was named Seth. Seth Calkins married Nancy Holmes, by whom he had 12 children, of whom Ervin married, first, Abigail Wright, who bore him two children. Ann Eliza and Jane, and second, Mary, daughter of John and Magdalena (Frank) McCombs, of Perch River, who bore him children as follows: Harriet, George, who served as chaplain in the late war, Henry, Hannah, Mary, Walter, John, Edmond, and Taylor. Henry served as corporal in the late war, and died at Antioch Church, Va. Walter, who also served in the late war, in Co. G., N. Y. H. A., married Christina E., daughter of Jacob and Betsey (Hancock) Lowe, of Brownville, and their children are George E., Eva M., and Arthur G. He is a farmer in this town.
Duncan Campbell, who served in the Revolution war, was a native of Scotland. He first located in New Jersey, whence he removed to Washington County, N. Y. where he died, aged about 75 years. His wife, Margaret, bore him two children, Eliza and Nancy. Eliza married Daniel McGiven, of Argyle, Washington County, and they had eight children, viz.: William, Charles, Benjamin, Robert H., Joseph, Helen, Emily and Mary. Robert H. served in the late war as saddle- sergeant in the 1st Ill. Cav. and participated in the battles of Lexington, Mo., Pea Ridge, Winchester, Cedar Creek, and Appomattox Court House. He remained in the service until the close of the war. His father, Daniel McGiven, served in the battle of Plattsburgh in the War of 1812.
Jacob Carpenter, a native of England, emigrated to Washington County during the French and Indian war. His children were Jacob, Philip, Peter, and Rhoda. Philip Carpenter came to this town in 1813, and located at Pillar Point, where he died, aged 72 years. He served in the Revolutionary war. He married Mary, daughter of Nathan Rhodes, of Rhode Island, and their children were Daniel, Asabel, Nehemiah, Rhoda, Polly, Levi, Rebecca, Daniel, Orson, Cynthia and Permelia. Levi was born in Plattsburgh, N. Y., December 10, 1799, where he lived several years, and in 1813 located in this town, at Pillar Point, where he now resides, at the age of 89 years. He married Eunice, daughter of Abijah and Sally (Wilder) Ayer, of Hounsfield, who bore him children as follows: Lovina, Lucy, Mary Wellington L., Rosetta, Absalom, Winfield, Orvilla, La Fayette, and Bruce. His wife is now living, aged 83 years. Their sons, Wellington, Winfield, Orville, and La Fayette served in the late war. Mr. Carpenter is the oldest one of the first settlers now living in the town and he draws a pension.
William O. Case, son of Warren, married Catherine Countryman, by whom he had children as follows: Lillian, James W., Sidney L., Handley, William C., Curtis M. and Lynn D. The latter married Lucy, daughter of Philip and Electra Weaver, and he has one son, Roy J., and resides on the homestead farm of his father. Curtis M. Case married Lucy, daughter of Eli and Kate (Dorchester) Witt, of Brownville, and now resides in this town on road 2, corner 11. His children are Elmer, Estella, Fred and Maud.
Peter Christie, a native of Quebec, died on Amherst Island near Kingston. His wife, Rachel, bore him several children, among whom was Peter, Jr., who came to this town in 1838 and located in the village, where he now resides. Peter, Jr., was twice married. By his first wife, Jane Ferguson, he had five children, viz.: Mary, Joseph, Julia, Alexander, and Abram, of whom the latter served in Co. I, 94th N. Y. Vols., and was killed in the second battle of Bull Run. His second wife, Lucinda Gardner, of Pillar Point, bore him eight children, viz.: Peter, Lydia, Ephraim, William, Eugene, Edwin, Michael and Adelia. Michel Christie married Alphrenia, daughter of William and Julia (Bush) Dillenbeck, of Dexter, and their children are William, Glennie, Walton, Harrie, and Elsie. He enlisted in Co. B., 186th Regt. N. Y. Vols., participated in the battles of Cedar Creek and Petersburg, and was honorably discharged. Peter Christie, brother of Michael, enlised in Co. K, 14th N. Y. Cavalry, was transferred to the 18th N. Y. Cavalry, and reenlisted in Co. I, 10th N.Y.H.A. He married Kate Ewing, of Peru, Ind., and their children are Charles, Fred, and Delia. He resides in the village of Dexter.
John Cole, a native of Montgomery County, came to Brownville in 1802, among the early settlers, and located upon a farm on road 15, near Perch River, now known as the Cole farm. In the early days the town meetings were held upon this farm. Mr. Cole died here at the age of 81 years. He married Polly Waters, and their children were Walter, Samuel, John, Betsey, Abigail, Margaret, Clarissa, and Polly. John married Elizabeth, daughter of Seth and Mary Cole, of Bennington, Vt., and they had children as follows: Mary, Eliza, Caroline, George, Jane, Edward and Bryon. The latter, born in this town, where he now resides, married Annie, daughter of Clement and Betsey (Hamilton) Hawley, of Perch River, and they had four children, viz.: Earl B., Josie M., Grace D., and John. Francis Cole, brother of John, the early settlers here, served in the Revolutionary war and was taken to an island in the St. Lawrence River, and sold or given to a merchant in Lower Canada, where he remained many years. He finally removed to this town, and later to Watertown, where he died.
Ezekiel Conklin, CONKLIN, Ezekiela native of Herkimer County, came to Brownville in 1820, and here remained until his death. He married Hannah Ackler, and their son, Daniel, born in Warren, N. Y., in 1804, came here with his parents, where he remained many years, finally removing to Hounsfield, where he died in 1869. Daniel married Lucy, daughter of Jesse and Elizabeth (Livermore) Benjamin, of Hounsfield, and they had born to them six sons. One son, John T., born in Hounsfield, married Sarah, daughter of Othaniel and Mary S. (Wilson) Edwards, of Depauville, and they have had two children, viz.: Eddie, who died in 1875, aged one year and seven months, and Fred J., who died in 1885, aged 19 years. John T. Conklin resides at Brownville village. Theodore C. Conklin, brother of John T., married Lorendine Wallace, of Lyme, and they have three children, Mary, Herbert, and Willie, and reside on a farm in Hounsfield. Jesse Benjamin, mentioned above, served in the battle of Sackets Harbor in War of 1812. He was the first settler on what is now known as the Conklin farm, on road 31, in Hounsfield.
John N. Cook, of Germany, came to America in 1847 and now resides in this town. He married Elizabeth Geisnaer, of Germany, who bore him children as follows: John, Margaret, Henry, William 1st, Jacob, Valentine, William 2nd, Elizabeth, Anna and Mary. William 1st served in Co. B, 2nd N. Y. H. A. and was killed in the late war. Henry Cook married Cornelia, daughter of Lawrence and Margaret (Fox) Fetterly of Clayton in 1880 and their children are Ross E., Frank H. and George E.
James Cowan, a Scotchman, emigrated to Antrim, Ireland, where he died in 1836, aged 80 years. He was married three times and reared eight children among whom was John, who emigrated to Amsterdam, N. Y. in 1823, and in 1830 came to this town, where he died in 1872, aged 82 years. John married Elizabeth McKinley, and their children were David, James, Elizabeth, and John M. The latter was born in this town in the house where he now lives and he owns the homestead farm of his maternal grandfather, John McKinley. Mr. McKinley, also a Scotchman, came to Amsterdam in 1824, and finally located in Brownville, where he died in 1835, aged 93 years.
William Crouch married Christina Bolles, of Connecticut, and they had eight children, of whom David married Zerviah, daughter of Timothy and Amy (Babcock) Pool, and they had nine children, viz.: David, Cornelia, John, Hannah, William, Zerviah, James, Betsey and George. Betsey Crouch married Levi Davis, of Lincoln, Iowa, March 6, 1865, and he died September 24, 1870, aged 49 years. Mrs. Davis resides in this town on the homestead farm of her father on road 32. Hannah Crouch married George H. Steele, April 25, 1844, a son of Eliakim and Betsey Steele, of Brownville, and he died June 30, 1853, aged 37 years. They had children as follows: Edson A., Maitland J., Herbert G., and William. Mrs. Steele resides in this town with her son, Herbert G.
Isaac Day, a native of Massachusetts, settled on a farm in this town in 1822, where he remained until his death in 1850, aged 77 years. He married Annie Hinman, of Plainfield, Stsego County, and they had eight children, viz.: Orville, Reuben, George, Betsey, Otis, Russell, Mary and Rufus. The latter was born in Otsego County, and in 1822, came to this town with his parents. He married Eliza A., daughter of Robert and Elvira (Rockwood) Belton, and they have had two children, William H. and Alvira A., the latter deceased. William H., married Catharine, daughter of Parmalee and Fanny (Allen) Judd, of this town, and they have one daughter, Fanny E.
Augustus Devendorf was born in Minden, N. Y. and died at Harper's Ferry, Va., aged 35 years. His father, John, who served in the Revolutionary war, was a German. Augustus married Betsey Clock, who bore him four children, of whom Daniel was born in Fairfield and died in St. Johnsville, N. Y. at the age of 33 years. He married Margaret Markell, of Stone Arabia, Montgomery County, and their children were A. Maria, Henry, Edward, Abraham, Jeremiah and Josiah (twins), Adam, and John D. The latter married Mary A., daughter of George G. Loucks, of Manheim, N. Y., and resides in this town. He has one adopted son, Irving R., the son of his brother.
William Elliott, son of Thomas and Sarah (Murphy) Elliott, was born in County Longford, Ireland. In 1847 he immigrated to Canada, and in 1860 located in the town of Lyme, in this county, where he died in 1885, aged 63 years. He married Elizabeth Diamond, of Ireland, who is now living in the village of Chaumont, aged 63 years. They had 10 children, viz.: Sarah, John, Almedia, Anna, William, Luella, Elizabeth, Berman, Mary and Robert D. The latter married Mary M., daughter of Henry and Jane (Rodgers) Dennie, of Brownville, and he now resides in this town near the village of Limerick. He is also employed on the railroad.
Jonathan Elmer came to Jefferson County about 1819 or 20, at that time being 16 or 17 years of age. He worked out among the farmers until his marriage with Cynthia Carpenter, when he located at Sackets Harbor, a few years later removing to Pillar Point, in the town of Brownville, where he engaged in boat building and carpentering. He subsequently engaged in farming, and died in this town in January, 1885. His wife died in 1887. They had 13 children, viz.: Silas M., Manerva, William M., Malissa, Washington R., Wellington H. , Roxanna, Adelaide, Arvilla, Elvira, Ruth, Alice, and Edward B. Twelve of these attained maturity.
William Stow Ely was born March 17, 1789, in Lyme, Conn., whence he removed to the village of Brownville in 1811. He served as clerk in Sotel Lawrence's store a year and a half. In 1813 he formed a partnership with John Paddock, in the mercantile business, which lasted till the death of the latter in 1816, after which he continued the business in his own name with great success. He held many offices of trust; was a stockholder of the Brownville Manufacturing Company, organized in 1814 for the purpose of manufacturing cotton and woolen goods, and treasurer of the same; major of the militia in 1817, and colonel in 1821; town clerk in 1826; and the same year vestryman of St. Paul's Church, and associated with Orville Hungerford, of Watertown, and others as superintendent of the Jefferson County poor-house; president of the village of Brownville in 1829; village trustee in 1830 and 1834; notary public and pension agent for Revolutionary claims in 1832. Mr. Ely was highly esteemed in social and business circles for character, honor, integrity, capacity, and energy, and in his domestic relations was most exemplary. He died in Brownville, April 3, 1835, after a sudden painful illness of 11 days, at the age of 46 years, honored and lamented. He was a Jackson Republican. Papers of January 29 and February 4, 1835, contain a petition in his favor for the office of postmaster at Brownville, as the successor of George Brown, Esq. He is "recommended as a straightforward administration man, sound and strong, etc. -- as a man of moral worth, well located, and well qualified for the office." The Whig opponent was S. M. Green, a lawyer who was educated in the office of Isaac H. Bronson, and came to the village in 1832. Mr. Ely was part owner of the steamboat, Brownville, built by Turner & Dodd, at Brownville, in the summer of 1827, to navigate Black River.
Jonathan Emerson, a native of Massachusetts, came to Brownville in 1804, among the first settlers. He married Tabitha Dunham, also a native of Massachusetts, and they had 12 children. One son, John, married, first, Mary Freeman, of Herkimer County, in 1839, and they had three children, viz: Angeline, Clark, and Eli. His second wife, Lizzie White, of Oswego bore him one son, Edgar J. He is a prosperous farmer on road 4 in this town.
Terrance Farmer, a native of Ireland, emigrated to Brownville in 1832 whence he removed to Hounsfield, where he died in 1883, aged 79 years. He married Catharine Corrigan, who bore him four children, viz.: James, Ellen, Dennis and Peter. The latter married Ann Hunt, and their children were John, James, Alice and Frank. Frank Farmer married Annie, daughter of Michael Doran, and they have two children, Annie and Charles and reside in this town.
Chauncy H. Fay, born on Point Peninsula in 1861 located in Dexter, where he died March 29, 1876 aged 74 years. He married Julia Ann Tracy of Lyme and their children were Emily, Sherebiah, Almina, Lavina, Helen, and Sullivan D. The latter was born in Lyme and in 1860 located in Dexter where he now resides. He married Mary, daughter of Danforth P. and Amanda (Hubbard) Clark in 1860 by whom he had one son, Fred, who died in 1870, aged four years. He served in Co. B, 186th N. Y. Vols., and was honorably discharged at the close of the war. He was present at the evacuation of Petersburg, Va., April 2, 1865.
Abenezer Fish, a native of Massachusetts, married Anna Arnold, and removed to Oneida County about 1795, and after seven years he removed to this county and was one of the first settlers in Watertown. He finally located in Canada, where he died at the age of about 60 years. His son, Furnam, was born in Oneida County and came to Cape Vincent in 1839, where he now resides. He represented the Third Assembly district in 1859. He married, Caroline, daughter of Rodger Rose, of Watertown and their children are Myron, Milton, Furnam, Albert, Daniel, Manila C., and George W. The latter married Ellen, daughter of Jesse and Triphosa (Spencer) Bauder of Cape Vincent and their children are George G.. Sheridan H., Gracie W. and Jesse M. and they reside in the village of Limerick in this town. He served in Co. E., N. Y. Vols., one year, as corporal, and was fighting before Petersburg, Va., April 2, 1865.
Richard Flansburg, Jr., was a native of Maine. He came to Watertown, N. Y. in 1835, where he remained until his death, aged 82 years. He married Jane Baucus, of Litchfield, N. Y. and their children were Elida J., Esther A., William, John, Mary, Martha, Katie and Harriet L. The latter has been twice married. By her first husband, Rufus Owens, of Wilna, she had one son, Lewis. Her second husband was Matthew Lynch, of the town of Philadelphia, by whom she had two children, Henry and Sophia. Mr. Lynch died in 1870, aged 61 years. His widow survives him and resides in this town at the age of 66 years.
David Fluno, a Hollander, emigrated to America while young. He married Maria Wright, of Brownville, and they had eight children, viz.: Melissa, David, Richard, LaFayette, Maria, George B., Hannah and Leonora. The latter married George B. Babcock, of Dexter, son of Jesse and Mariah (Morgan) Babcock. Mr. Babcock served in Co. I, 10th N. Y. H. A., three years, and died in the village of Dexter in 1879, aged 36 years. His widow survives him at the age of 35 years and her children are Fred, Charles and Mary.
Henry Fredenberg, a native of Ulster County, came to Brownville in 1837, where he died in 1872, aged 76 years. He served in Co. M, 10th N. Y. H. A., one year. He married, first, Annie Shower of Ulster County, and their children were Albert, Elias, John, Mary J., David, Sylvia, James C., Eliza, George, and Lottie. His second marriage was with Annie Beckwith. James C. married Hattie, daughter of Alexander Hayes, of Chaumont, and they have two children, Cora and Blanche. He served two enlistments in the late war, first in Co. M. 2nd Regt. N. Y. Vols., and second in Co. E, 186th Regt., and was honorably discharged. He served at the battles of Bull Run and Antietam, and in front of Petersburg. He resides in the village of Limerick.
Henry Fuller, a native of Scotland, emigrated to Washington County, N. Y., where he remained until his death. He was a Revolutionary solidier. His wife bore him eight children, of whom Lester came to Brownville in 1837, and here remained until his death, July 16, 1875, aged 80 years. In 1823 he married Lovina, daughter of Elijah and Mary Dexter, of Washington County, and their children were Sherard, Cornelius, Charles, Mary, Emeline, Albert and Maria. Sherard Fuller served 15 years in the regular army before the war, and during the war served in Co. H. 10th N.Y.H.A. He died April 19, 1871, aged 46 years. Albert served in Co. A, 94th N. Y. Vols., and died at Sackets Harbor, December 30, 1861, aged 18 years. Maria Fuller is now a resident of Brownville, the only one of the family now left in the town.
Robert Gates was born in Frankfort, Herkimer County, and now resides in Holmesville, Chenango County. He married Theresa Parrish of Pulaski and their children were Elisha, Merrills, Sewel, Betsey, Emma, Julia, Lucia, Sarah, and Robert F. The latter graduated from the State Normal School at Brockport, and later from the Cleveland (O.) Homeopathic College. He located in this town in 1885, where he is engaged in the practice of his profession. He married Ida Beebee of New Haven, N. Y., daughter of Rev. Charles E. and Clarissa (Vincent) Beebee, and they have one son, Carleton.
Cyrus W. Giles, son of Samuel, was born in Brownville where he now resides. He married Jane Moffatt of Limerick and they have had children as follows: Frank P., Adelia, Elizabeth (deceased), William, and Edwin N. The latter married Viola A., daughter of George and Isabelle (Montgomery) Campbell of this town and they have one daughter, Minnie M. Edwin N. Giles is foreman of the Black River Paper Co., mills.
Horace Gilmore, son of Robert, of Scotch descent, was born in New Hampshire, whence he removed to Watertown, and later to Brownville, where he died at the age of 42 years. He had born to him eight children. His son, James E. Gilmore, married, first Susan Livermore, of Hounsfield, daughter of Levi Livermore, and by her had four children, viz.: Charles G., Frances A., Anna S., and James A. His first wife died in 1858. He married, second, Mary E. Livermore, a sister of his first wife, and their children wre Henry L., Erskine H., and George E. He died in 1883, aged 57 years. His son, James A., married Addie E., daughter of Edgar and Mary A. (Huntington) Leonard, and they have had three children, Edith M., Mary E., and Leonard J., all deceased. James A. Gilmore resides in the village of Dexter, where he has been engaged in the manufacture of sash, doors, and blinds for the past 10 years. His grandfather, Levi Livermore, served in the War of 1812.
Daniel Gould, son of John, born in Montgomery County, removed to Pamelia while young, and later to Watertown where he now resides at the age of 92 years. He married Fanny Denson, who bore him 10 children, viz.: Rasselas, Demster, Daniel, Jr., Horace, Madison, Nelson, Alexander, Clarissa, Fanny and John. The latter was born in Pamelia and came to Pillar Point at the close of the late war. He married Adaline, daughter of Joshua and Ruth (Freeman) Fredenburg of LeRay and their children are Daniel, Morris, Charles, Orville and Edson J.
Solomon Gould, of Leverett, Mass., located in Lorraine in 1806, where he died in 1810, aged 85 years. His wife bore him 14 children, eight sons and five daughters, of whom grew to maturity. One son, Nathan, married Betsey Gleason, of Leaverett, and his children were Solomon, Willard, Clarissa, Lavina, Delilah, Fanny, Eliza, Deborah, Jane, Nathan, and Curtis P. The latter was born in the town of Lorraine and in 1857 removed to Brownville where he has resided for 11 years on road 33. He married, first, Catharine McComb of Lyme who bore him two children, Alice and Jane; and second, Mrs. Elizabeth Brush of LeRay, daughter of Solomon and Lucinda (Hunt) Beebee, and his children by her are Franklin, Etta, Fred, Charles, and Herbert.
Abel Greigg, son of Col. Greigg of Revolutionary fame, was a native of New Hampshire. He was one of the first settlers in Watertown, locating in that city when there were but three log houses on what is now known as "The Square," where was also erected a mortar with a stone pestle hung upon a spring-pole with which the pioneers ground their corn. Mr. Greigg reared four children. He son, David, was born in Rutland, where he resided many years, finally locating in the town of Watertown, where he died in 1883, aged 72 years. He married Abigail, daughter of Samuel Ralph, of Rodman, and their children were Amby, Albert, Ruth, Victoria, and Charles. The latter was born in the town of Rutland, and in 1884 removed to this town, where he now resides. He married Rebecca, daughter of Simon and Rebecca (Davis) Shaver, of Wolf Island, Canada, and their children are David and Demott.
Ephraim Hoyt, a native of Vermont, did faithful service in the Revolutionary war. He came to Brownville in 1830, and finally removed to the town of Alexandria, where he died at the age of 78 years. His wife as a Miss Stephens, also of Vermont, and their children were Timothy, Wait S., Daniel, Mettie, Sally, Sarah, and Samuel. The latter, born in Vermont, served in the War of 1812, and in 1820 removed to this town and settled on what is now known as the Gale farm. He finally removed to Alexandria, where he died at the age of 77 years. He married Nancy Parker, of Alstead, N. H., and their children were Horace, Harriet, Nancy and Samuel. The latter was born in Brownville. He married Eunitia, daughter of Horatio and Minerva (Dillon) Norton, of Pamelia, and their children are Mabel and Eunitia.
Zephaniah Hubbs, a native of Saratoga County, removed to Carthage, where he died. His wife, Elizabeth, bore him seven children, viz.: Herman, Janette, William S., Daniel, Amy, Bradley S. and Amelia. William S., born in Saratoga County, in 1880 removed to Brownville where he died in 1884, aged 58 years. He married, first, Dorcas Carpenter, of South Rutland, by whom he had two children, Ella and Zephaniah. He married, second, Priscilla, daughter of Marcus and Lucy (Phillips) Johnson, of Copengagen, by whom he had two children, George W. and Cora B. Mrs. Hubbs survives her husband at the age of 49 years, and resides on road 34 in this town. Bradley S. Hubbs served in the late war in Co. I., N. Y. H. A., and was honorably discharged.
William Jackson, son of William, a native of Yorkshire, Eng., immigrated to America when 30 years of age. He married, first, Mary Merrifield, also of Yorkshire, and second, Hannah, daughter of James Winne, of Watertown. By his first wife he had seven children. The fruit of his second marriage was three children, viz.: Charles A., Adelia, and Adelaide. Charles A. Jackson maried Mary J., daughter of George and Isabelle (Hagen) Myres, and they have one daughter, Edith I., and reside in this town.
David Kennedy of Glasgow, Scotland, died in Ireland in 1857 aged 52 years. He married Mary Brown of Ireland and their children were William, Sarah, Eliza, Charles, John, David, Andrew, Robert and Hugh. Andrew Kennedy was born in Ireland. He emigrated to America and settled in Brownville where he now resides. He married, first, Sarah Orr, who bore him three children, David, Andrew and Thomas, and second, Mary M. Cave of Woonsocket, R. I., by whom he has children as follows: William, Eliza, Sarah, Mary J. and Agnes.
Jacob Kilborn, son of John, who was a native of Litchfield, Conn., and a Revolutionary soldier, came to this town in 1805, finally locating in Clayton, where he died, Mary 17, 1851, aged 81 years. He married Catharine Knapp of Adams, Mass. in 1796, and she died in 1864, aged 93 years. Their children were Alfred and Alpheus (twins), Joel, Chauncey, Hannah, and Lydia. Alfred was born in Adams, Mass., September 23, 1798. He married Eliza C., daughter of Samuel and Esther (Hildreth) Cobb, of Orleans, in February, 1838, and they had one child. Frances E., who married Charles C. Steele of Brownville.
Joel Kilborn, son of Jacob and Catharine (Knapp) Kilborn, was born in Plainfield, N. Y. He came to Brownville while young and finally removed to New Jersey, where he died at the age of 75 years. He married Alexis Keyes, of Brownville, and they had two children, viz.: Oren, who died at the age of twelve years, and Altheus J. The latter married Jane, daughter of John N. and Orra (Moffitt) Gunn, and their children were Charles F. (deceased), James A. and May C. Altheus J. Kilborn served in the late war in Co. G., 10th N.Y.H.A., three years and was honorably discharged at the close of the war. Melvin Moffitt served in the War of 1812, and died at Mendota, Ill., aged over 80 years. John N. Gunn also served in the War of 1812 and died at Clayton at the age of 71 years. His widow survives him and resides in this town at the age of 92 years.
George Kissel, son of George and grandson of George, was born in Germany, and immigrated to this country with his father, first locating in Clayton in 1837. In 1878 he came to this town, where he now resides. He married Diana, daughter of Alfred and Lucinda (Wait) Greenleaf, of Clayton, and they have children as follows: Mary, Ellen D., Peter I., George, Henry A. and Charles F.
David Knapp was born in Mayfield, Fulton County, N. Y., where he died at the age of about 65 years. Of his four children, Samuel, born in Mayfield, removed to this town in 1847 and settled on a farm which he occupied until his death at the age of 65 years. He married Atha Reynolds, of Fulton County, and their children were Benjamin, David, Jacob, Solomon, Hiram, Ann, Sally, Rachel, Hannah, and John L. The latter married Emily, daughter of Henry and Betsey (Dilaberne) Perry, of Brownville, in 1850 and they have had three children, viz.: Emma, Amelia, and Delbert, the latter of whom is deceased.
Joseph Knowlton, a native of Bermont, removed to Ellisburgh among the early settlers, and finally located in this town, at Pillar Point, where he remained several years, dying in Hounsfield in 1869, aged 82 years. He was three times married. His first wife, a Miss Filmore, bore him four children, viz.: Monroe, Maria, Perry, and Asa. By his second wife, Jemima Holden of Henderson, his children were Ruth A., and Harry A. His third wife was Sally Filmore, a sister of his first wife. His son, Harry A., was born in Henderson. He married, first, Vestaline, daughter of John L. and Betsey (Mixer) Alger, who bore him children, as follows: Frank W., of Copenhagen, N. Y.; Idelia M. (Mrs. George Anderson), of Watertown; and Vesta A. He married, second, Elizabeth, daughter of William and Mary M. Jackson, and is now a general merchant at Pillar Point, where he has resided 54 years.
David Lindley, a native of Yorkshire, Eng., immigrated to America and located in North Carolina, where he married Cornelia Anderson. He afterwards located in Watertown, where he followed the occupation of a woolen weaver, dying here at the age of 44 years. His children were Maria, Sarah, Amanda, Charlotte, David and Joseph H. The latter married Nancy, daughter of Edward and Calista (Davis) James, of this town, and they have three children, viz.: Nora M., Flora E., and Ernest. Mr. Lindley has been a resident farmer in this town for 33 years.
Newton B. Lord, son of William, was born in Brownville, and by trade is a foundryman and machinist. He married Cornelia Stone of Milwaukee and they had four children. He was colonel of the 35th N. Y. Vols., and is now in Chili, S.A. where he is vice- president and manager of the railroads being built in that country. The company is known as the North and South American Construction Company.
John Lynch, a native of Ireland, emigrated to America and located in this state, finally settling in Martinsburg, Fulton County, where he died at the age of 82 years. He married Nancy Rice, who bore him six children, viz.: Edward, John, Matthew, Robert, Mary and Thomas. The latter married Katie, daughter of Timothy and Catharine (Evans) Mangan of Martinsburg by whom he had two children. Mr. Lynch was proprietor of the Brownville Hotel. He is now deceased.
Samuel McTaggart was born on one of the Orkney Islands, off the northern coast of Scotland. He emigrated to Canada, where he died at the advanced age of 97 years and 11 months. He married Mary Foster, of Canada, and their children were Archibald, Peter, Anson and George. Anson McTaggart, born in Belleville, Canada, died there at the age of 62 years. He married Jane Burgess, who died at Belleville at the age of 59 years. They had four children, viz.: Gilbert, John, Elizabeth and Elgin. The latter located in Watertown in 1873, and in Brownville in 1887. He married Calista, daughter of Anthony and Katie (Avery) Potter, of Worth, and is now a cheesemaker on road 55 on Pillar Point.
William Mackey, whose father was killed in the Revolutionary war, was of Scotch descent. He was born in Montgomery County, N. Y., and died in Indiana at the advanced age of 99 years. He served in the War of 1812 and was taken prisoner. He wedded with Catharine Sight, of Montgomery County, and their children were Benjamin, John, Abram, Hiram, James, Nancy, Mariah, Sally, Lida, and William. The latter married Catharine, daughter of John Lent, of Montgomery County, and their children are Nathan, Harvey, William, Jerome, and Laura. He has resided in Brownville for 51 years.
Andrew Mallett, a German, settled in the town of LeRay when 10 years of age, whence he removed to Theresa, where he was killed by a falling tree, at the age of 55 years. He married Ann Misner, of LeRay, and their children were David, Charles, Henry, John, Watson, Delia A., Emma J. (deceased), Laura and George. George Mallett, of this town, was twice married. By his first wife, Mary J., daughter of Alfred and Filena (Young) Sargent, of Orleans, he had three daughters, viz.: Emma A., Fanny A., and Kate L. He married, second, Annie, daughter of Alfred and Esther (Adams) Taylor, and they have one daughter, Esther.
William Penn Massey, son of Solon and Mary Esther (Boalt) Massey, and grandson of Hart Massey was born on his father's farm, two and one-half miles from Watertown on the Sackets Harbor road in 1824. He died at Brownville in 1885, aged 60 years. He was educated at the select schools of Brownville and the Black River Institute at Watertown. In 1846-47 and 1847-48 he attended medical lectures at a university in New York city, where he graduated in the latter year, after which he practiced his profession in Brownville with remarkable success until his death. Politically he was a staunch Republican. He and his amiable wife were prominent members of the Presbyterian Church. He married Adaline A., daughter of Charles and Adda (Macumber) Smith, of Utica, N. Y. May 8, 1848 and his wife survives him, aged 64 years. They had two children, Charles F. and Francis W. H. The latter attended the Michigan University of Ann Arbor in 1876 and graduated from the medical college at New York city in the spring of 1884 and is now practicing his profession in Brownville. He married Nellie Torrey, of Batchellerville, Saratoga County, and they have three children, Mary A., Jennie E., and S. Torrey. Charles F. Massey married Lizzie E. Protzman of Osborn, Ohio and they have three children, William P., Edith, and Carl F. He is a merchant in Rochester, Minn.
Aquilla Moffatt, a native of Plainfield, N. Y., came to Brownville among the early settlers and here remained until his death. He married a Miss Pattie, who bore him nine children, of whom David, born in this town, married Rachel, daughter of Samuel and Atha Knapp, and they had children as follows: Frances, Jay, Wells, Ida, John, Austin, Ella, Willie, Kate, Mary and Edwin. The latter married Alice, daughter of Thomas and Martha (Hamblin) Collins, of Orleans, and their children were Horace, Sadie, Susie, and David.
Conkey Moffatt was a native of North Adams, Mass., whence he removed to Otsego County, N. Y., and in 1818 to Brownville, where he was the first settler on a farm on road 36. He died in this town in 1841, aged about 70 years. He married Olive Hinman, who bore him nine children, viz.: Aquilla, Persis, Jonathan, Hosea, Olivia, Orlando, Ann, Alexander C., and Reuben H. Hosea Moffatt married Julia, daughter of Benjamin and Julia (Taylor) Prior, of this town, and they have two children, James A. and Bruce. James S. married Nancy, daughter of Richard and Mary (Avery) Buckminster and their children are Charles E. and Gertrude C. They have lived on their present farm since 1865.
Phineas Osborn, from Massachusetts, was one of the early settlers of Depauville where he died. His wife was Elizabeth Thornton of Massachusetts. His son, Phineas A. Osborn, was born at Depauville where he died in 1881, aged 79 years. He was a successful farmer. He married, first, Ann Frame, of Depauville, by whom he had children as follows: Caroline, Duane, Clarissa, Eliza, Orlando, Webster, Eleanor, William, Hart and Phineas A., Jr. His second wife was Ann Goddard, of Clayton. Phineas A. Osborn, Jr., married Emoretta, daughter of Coonrad Lingenfelter, of Clayton, and he has one daughter, Jesse M. He is one of the proprietors of the flouring and plaster-mills of Dexter. Duane Osborn served in the late war from the state of Michigan. Webster, William and Hart served in the N. Y. H. A.
James T. Outterson, son of Andrew, was a native of Connecticut, and is now a resident of Watertown. He served as captain of a company in the 84th N. Y. Vols. until the close of the late war. He married Frances E., daughter of C. R. Jones, of Pulaski, and his children are Ranie, Charles E., Mabelle, Carrie, and James A. The latter married Eva S., daughter of Horace S. and Mary (Coburn) Peck, of Ticonderoga, N. Y., and is president while his brother, Charles E., is first vice- president of the Outterson Paper Company of Brownville.
Nathaniel Peck, who served at Sackets Harbor in the War of 1812, was born at Danbury, Conn., in 1782. His father, Elphalet Peck, also a native of Danbury, served with three brothers in the Revolutionary war, and was taken prisoner at New York city by the British. Nathaniel married Abigail, daughter of Samuel Starr, of Brownville, and they had eight children. Their eldest son, Samuel Starr Peck, married Eliza, daughter of John E. and Nancy McCollum, and they had children as follows: Sarah, Ann Eliza, Spencer S. B., Nancy L., Henry C., Myron R. C., and Samuel S. Spencer S. B. Peck married Harriet, daughter of Jenks and Eliza (Smith) Gillingham, and they have one son, Henry Roy. Spencer S. B. served in Co. B. 177th N. Y. Vols., from Albany, under General Banks, in the Port Hudson campaign. He resides in this town on road 14, on the homestead farm of his grandfather, Samuel Starr, and adjoining the farm once occupied by his grandfather, Nathaniel Peck.
Adelbert Pettit, son of Marcus and Cornelia Pettit, was born in the town of Lyme. He married Mary Jane, daughter of Peter and Mary Keller, of Ontario, Canada, and they have one son, Ward. The family resides in this town. Mr. Pettit served in Co. D, 186th N. Y. Vols and was at Petersburg, Va., April 2, 1865 and was honorably discharged at the close of the war.
Samuel Plumb, born in 1722, was a native of Stonington, Conn., where he died. He married Grace Babcock, also of Stonington. Of their children, Nathaniel Plumb was born April 4, 1760, and in 1802 emigrated to Brownville, where he remained until his death, in 1841, aged 81 years. He married Annie, daughter of Sanford and Anna (Babcock) Langworthy, of Connecticut, and their children were 12, of whom George C. Plumb was born in Oneida County, whence he removed to this town in 1803, where he now resides, at the advanced age of 85 years. He married, first Betsey A. Moffitt, daughter of Melvin; and second, Mary, daughter of William and Persis (Moffitt) Robinson, with whom he is still living at Brownville village. Charles P. Plumb, son of Nathaniel, was born in Brownville, in 1811. He was married three times. His first wife was Lavina St., daughter of Fleury Keith, who was at one time a member of the state legislature; his second marriage was with Elmira, daughter of Joel G. Stacey; and his third wife was Sarah, daughter of Waters Allen, of Martinsburg, Lewis County, N. Y. He had two children, viz: Sanford, who served in Co. I, 110th N. Y. Vols., and died at New Orleans in February, 1863, aged 23 years; and Pamelia A. (Mrs. J. P. Trapett), of San Francisco, Cal.
Anson Potter (Hounsfield) is an example of untiring
industry, a pioneer of Hounsfield, and a present citizen of most honorable
standing. Anson Potter has demonstrated qualities of high order and to
acquire superiority in a chosen calling has put forth unremitted exertions.
He was the second child in the family of John and Lydia (Holloway)
Potter and was born in North Brookfield, Mass., March 29, 1803. His
father was a farmer of limited means and came with his family to
Stowell's Corners in the town of Hounsfield in 1805; here he remained for
several years and maintained his family by working as a day laborer.
About 1808 he purchased 50 acres of land, which is a part of the farm
now owned by his grandson, Newman H. Potter, for which he was to pay
$5 per acre; here he struggled with poverty for a number of years, for the
maintenance of his family, and the removal of the encumbrance upon his
property was a severe task; but, being a man of indomitable will and
perseverance, he overcame every obstacle, and to his first purchase added
100 acres, which is at this time one of the finest farms in the township.
As may be supposed, our subject's advantages were limited in every
particular, exception the acquirement of a robust construction and a pair
of strong arms with which to fight the battles incident to the settlement of
a new country. As soon as able to swing an axe, he commenced work
upon the farm, attending the district school for a few weeks in the winter;
he, however, acquired a good common school education. When about 19
years of age he commenced business for himself by taking jobs in clearing
land, and being desirous of securing some one to share "his joys and
sorrows," he made the acquaintance of Miss Abby M. Fall, whom he
married September 26, 1826. Her father, Henry T. Fall, was an officer
in the Revolutionary army and served during the war; soon after peace was
declared he settled in Litchfield County where Mrs. Potter was born, April
11, 1802. In 1811, meeting with some reverses in business, he emigrated
to the town of Rodman; he, however, ended his days in the town of
Brownville at the advanced age of 96 years.
Soon after Mr. Potter's marriage he purchased about 100 acres of wild
land on "big lot number 36," town of Hounsfield, for which he was to pay
$5 per acre. His situation at the time was certainly not an enviable one,
his resources being his wood wife, an axe, a pair of fustian breeches, an
ox team, good health, and a strong will, while his liabilities were an
encumbrance of $500 upon his farm. And now commenced the struggle
for the possession of his home; the land was heavily timbered and the
construction of a farm was no small task; but, by degrees, field after field
was added, and industry and frugality were rewarded, and to the first
purchase he added from time to time until he became the owner of over
1,000 acres of fine land, 700 of which was in one body and lay in the
town of Hounsfield. This magnificent property was acquired, not through
speculation or heirship, but by honorable toil, and Mr. Potter's success as
a farmer shows what can be done by industry, economy and good
executive ability. He now owns a beautiful farm of 200 acres, which is
a monument to his thrift and energy. This farm is probably one of the
best in Jefferson County.
Mr. and Mrs. Potter have been blessed with five children, named in the
order of their ages: Walter W., Newman H., Lorentine C., Lydia M.,
and Anson A. Walter W. is a farmer and a resident of Eaton County,
Michigan; Newman H. is one of Hounsfield's thrifty farmers, and did his
country good service as sergeant of Co. K, 35th New York Infantry;
Anson A. is living in Brownville; Lydia M. is the wife of Harrison E.
Spalsbury of Leonidas, Mich.; Lorentine C. is the wife of Chauncey W.
Bates of Polk City, Iowa. No family of children were ever blessed with
parents more kind or indulgent and their parents are proud to know that
they are fully appreciated. Although they have outlived their allotted time,
they are still in the possession of good health and all their faculties and are
sustained by an implicit religious faith, -- that of the Presbyterian Church,
of which he is a "ruling elder" and a liberal patron, and at whose altar
they kneel, "humble recipients of its holy symbols." Mr. and Mrs. Potter
are exemplars of "long lies well spent," and it is the wish of their many
friends that many years may yet be granted them.
Benjamin Prior, a native of Rhode Island, came to this town in 1805, and here remained until his death. He married Mrs. Julia A. Allen, of Amsterdam, N. Y., and of their seven children, John Prior married, first Louisa Prior, and second, Mrs. Francis Martin, daughter of John and Hannah (Welbon) Newton, of this town. Mr. Prior died January 17, 1887, aged 77 years. He was a successful farmer. His widow survives him. Oscar F. Prior married Mariah Lee, of Verona, Oneida County, daughter of Noah and Lucy (Keith) Lee, and their children were Benjamin F. and Noah L. Mrs. Prior survives her husband at the age of 68 years. Noah L. married Martha J., daughter of Nathan and Emeline (Hamblin) Clark, of Lyme, and they had three children, viz.: John N., Jesse E. (deceased), and Charles O. Mrs. Prior survives her husband, who died in 1886, aged 41 years.
Henry Reeves, a native of England, emigrated to this country in 1842, and settled on a farm at Pillar Point, where he made his home until his death. He married in England and his children were John, James, William, and Henry. The latter was born on Pillar Point and in 1879 removed to Watertown, where he now resides. He married Catharine, daughter of Philan Ball, of Dexter, and his children are James E., Blanch, Mary and Fernand H. Fernand H. Reeves married Vira, daughter of Hiram and Lucy (Wilder) Patrick, and his children are Lucy, Artie, and Harley. He resides on a farm on road 62 in Brownville.
Seneca Rogers, son of Isaac, was born in Hoosac, Mass., and now resides in Champion, N. Y. He married Marietta, daughter of Henry and Clarissa Williams, of Lyme, and his children are Ann, Ida, Fred, and John W. The latter married Helen C, daughter of Sylvanus and Dorothy (Fedderly) Henderson, of this town, and their children are Hattie M. and Frank W. Mr. Rogers is a farmer in this town on road 56.
John Ross, born near Glasgow, Scotland, emigrated to Canada, where he died. He married a Miss Monroe, and among his children was a son, William, who was born in Canada and died there. William married Nancy McLeod, of Canada, who bore him children as follows: Espy, John, Elizabeth, Thomas, Daniel, Marcolm, Mary, Catharine, Hugh, George, Alexander and William. The latter married Elizabeth, daughter of George Allen, of Dexter, and his children are Willie D. and George T. He has resided in the village of Dexter since 1860 but has recently removed to Syracuse.
Vann N. Russell, son of Daniel and Mary (Van Ness) Russell, was born in Northville, N. Y. He removed to California, and after six years returned to Northville, where he died at the age of 49 years. He married Julia A. Webb, of Newport, N. Y., and their children were Marion and Helen S. The latter married C. W. Smith, of Lyons, N. Y., son of Howard and Ella (Ericson) Smith, and their children are Frank H., Arvilla I., Van R., Schofield A., and Julia A., and they are residents of Brownville.
David Ryder, a native of Dummerston, Vt., came to Chaumont an early settler, where he remained until his death, at an advanced age. He married Esther Joslin, and their children were Benjamin, Esther, Deborah and Joseph. The latter married Mary Hill, of Boston, and they had nine children, viz.: David, Clark, Benjamin, Joseph, John, Ellis, Mary and Louisa M. The latter married John B. Kimball, of Cape Vincent, son of William S. and Lucy (Bryant) Kimball, and they had four children, viz.: Seth, Clark, Mary and Dorr. Mrs. Kimball survives her husband and resides in the village of Dexter, at the age of 73 years.
Joseph Ryder, son of David and Esther (Joslin) Ryder, went from New Hampshire to Massachusetts and later to Otsego County, N. Y., finally locating in Chaumont in 1812, where he died at the age of 90 years. He married Polly Hill, of Massachusetts, and their children were David, Clark, Mary, Benjamin, Joseph, Betsey, John, Louisa and Ellis. Benjamin Ryder was born in Windsor County, Vermont. He married Ann C., daughter of James and Martha (White) Horton, of Lyme, and their children were Watkins L., Cornelia W., Wallace W., Walter V. (who served in Co. C, 6th N. Y. Cav., and died in Mellen prison, in Georgia), Mary and Bruce W. The latter married Lydia R., daughter of John and Jessie Patrick of Hounsfield, and his children are Walter B. and Edna C. Ann C. Ryder survives her husband at the age of 81 years. He died in 1872, aged 59 years.
Mark Sanford, a native of this state, married Roxey A. Patrick, of Point Peninsula, and is now a resident of Sackets Harbor. His children are Phebe J., LaFayette, and Oren S. The latter married Sarah A., daughter of William and Sarah (White) Barney, of Cape Vincent, by whom he has had seven children, viz.: D. A. Dalton, Mary A., Alvah, Norah L., Mark, William W., and Charles E. He served in the late war in Co. M, 10th N. Y. H. A., three years and was honorably discharged. He was confined in Libby prison for 15 days previous to Lee's surrender.
William Seeber, a native of Montgomery County, who with six brothers served in the Revolutionary war, died in 1845, aged 74 years. His wife, Hannah, died in 1860, aged 93 years. Henry W., Seeber, Henry W.the eldest son of William and Hannah Seeber, was born in Johnstown, Montgomery County, in 1796. He removed with his parents to German Flats, Herkimer County, when seven years of age, and there lived until 1825. In 1830 he removed to this town, where he died in 1877. He married Susan Overocker in 1816, who died in 1874. They had fourteen children. Thei son, Frank D., a native of this town, married Emogene, daughter of Philester and Lydia (Wait) Jones, of Dexter, and is now a resident of this town, where he has lived since the day of his birth, 47 years ago. From his grandfather to the present generation there have been born and married into the family, including great-great- grandchildren, 145 souls, 120 of whom are now living. Mr. Seeber served three years in the late war in Co. I, 10th N. Y. H. A. Chester A. Seeber, another son of Henry W., was born in German Flats in 1821, and came with his parents to this town, where he now resides. He married Mary A., daughter of George and Mary A. (Sulief) Fredenberg, and their children are Adelaide, Edgar, and George H. William Seeber, son of Henry W., was 12 years old when he came to this town. He married Eliza, daughter of Henry and Rachel (Mandigole) Great, and their children are Nelson W., Alonzo H., Sylvester F. The latter married Addie M. Gardner of Clayton, in 1879, and their children are Pearl F., and Berdie and Bertha N., twins. Nelson W. Seeber, mentioned above, served in Co. I, 10th N.Y.H.A., was honorably discharged, and now resides in Texas. Edward Seeber, son of Henry W., married Mary E., daughter of William V. and Laura A. (Powers) Morgan, and their children are William H., Albert E., Georgia A., Carrie E., Susan V., Annie L., and Mary E. He has lived on the homestead farm of his father since his birth in 1841.
William T. Skinner was born in Westmoreland, N. H., in 1826, and died in 1878. When four years of age he came with his father, Alanson, to this town, and here remained untl his death. His occupation was that of a foundryman, and he continued in that business, in the buildings erected by his father, until his decease. He married Lucy, daughter of Oliver and Mary (Ormsby) Horr of Watertown, who survives him, and resides in this town with her son, Frederick. They had born to them two children, Frederick W., and Albert A.
William P. Smith, a native of this town, married, first, Clara Lounsbury, of Niagara County, who bore him one son and died in 1878, aged 42 years. In 1880 he married Mrs. Belle Kilborn of Clayton, daughter of Lewis and Helen (Cramer) Lawton, and is now a farmer at Perch River in this town. He commenced life as a poor boy and for many years lived with John Prior. By industry and frugality he has become quite successful in his chosen occupation. He served in Co. A, 35th N.Y. Artillery, in the late war and was honorably discharged. Hezekiah Lawton, grandfather of Mrs. Smith, participated in the battle of Sackets Harbor in the War of 1812.
Edward Soule, who died at Grand Haven, Mich., was a resident of Sackets Harbor many years. His son, David, was born at Sackets Harbor and now resides at Pillar Point, in Brownville. David married Livia, daughter of Horatio and Wealthy (Gardner) Sprague and his children are Judilla, Lodica and Leander H. The latter married Martha, daughter of Ira and Margaret (Clemens) Barber, of Herkimer, and they have three children, Ernie, Gettie and Charles and now reside on Pillar Point.
Col. Solomon Spafford, born in Rutland County, Vt., removed to Canada where he died at the age of 80 years. He married Sally Sheldon, a native of Massachusetts and of their nine children, Abijah, who was born in Vermont, died in Canada at the age of 55 years. He married Margaret, daughter of Jonathan and Polly (Young) Fergason and they had children as follows: Harvey, Solomon, William, Abijah, Alvah, Calvin, Parthenia and Sheldon. The latter was born in Canada and in 1863 removed to Brownville. He married Eliza, daughter of Alvah and Hannah (Walker) Stevens of Canada and now resides in this town. His children are Amelia, Aurelia, Evangeline and Emeline (twins), Sophronia and Horace.
Silas F. Spicer was born in Stonington, Conn., in 1792. He removed with his parents to Oneida County and finally located in Sackets Harbor, previous to 1812, where he learned the tanners' and shoemakers' trades. He married Charlotte Wescott, of Hounsfield, in 1815, and they had 14 children, viz.: Charlotte, Silas, Mercy, Henry, Fanny, Maria, Caroline and Clarissa (twins), Edward lst, Mary, Jane, Edward 2nd, Sarah and George. Mr. Spicer died at Perch River, where he settled in 1821, aged 73 years. Edward Spicer, a native of Perch River, was twice married. He wedded, first, with Hannah, daughter of Ebenezer and Phebe (Phelps) Allison, in 1866, who bore him one daughter, Jessie (deceased). By his second wife, Frances, daughter of Levi and Nancy (Snell) Loucks, of La Fargeville, he has had two children, Howard (deceased) and Irene. Mr. Spicer served in Co. G, 10th N.Y.H.A., two years and was honorably discharged. He is now serving his third term as supervisor of this town, and has served as justice of the peace. Henry Spicer was born in Brownville in 1820 where he married Delia E., daughter of Beriah and Diana (Prior) Allen, who died in July, 1879, aged 52 years. They had four children, viz.: Fremont W., Carrie E., Henrietta, and George E. Mr. Spicer engaged in the mercantile business in 1845, and continued with marked success until 1863, since which time he has given his attention to dealing in stock, hay, etc. He resides in the village of Perch River. His youngest son, George E., served in Co. A 35th N. Y. Vols., and was killed on the eve of the battle of Antietam, September 16, 1862. Fremont W. Spicer married Minnie A., daughter of Oscar M. and Mary L. (Easterly) Wood, in 1881, and they have two children, Mollie and Murill D. He resides in Dexter, and is a dealer in coal, hay, and grain.
Hiram Steele, a native of Vermont died in Windsor in that state, aged about 80 years. His son, Eliakim, was born in Windsor, and in 1834 located in this town where he died in 1853, aged 67 years. Eliakim married Betsey, daughter of Col. Cummings of West Windsor, Vt., and their children were George H., Fanny C., Ellen M., Gracie A., and Charles C. The latter married, first, Elizabeth, daughter of Samuel and Mary Guard of Brownville, in 1859, who bore him two children, Charles H. and George C. His second marriage was with Frances E., daughter of Alfred and Eliza (Cobb) Kilborn of this town. Mr. Steele has been a general merchant in Brownville for 12 years, deputy postmaster 10 years, and justice of the peace, one term. He has also been proprietor of a grist and flouring mill for 10 years.
Joseph Underwood, son of Joseph who served in the Revolutionary war, was born in Vermont, whence he emigrated to Rutland, this county, in 1800, and was one of the first settlers of that town, where he lived 35 years, when he removed to this town and died here in 1843, aged 72 years. He married Rebecca Hayes who bore him seven children, viz.: William, Elizabeth, Sarah, Clarissa, Joseph, Huldah, and Warren. Joseph, a native of Rutland, came to Brownville in 1835, where he now resides, aged 78 years. He married Louisa, daughter of Jeremiah and Sally (Bush) Scott, and his children are Charles, Morrell, and William H. The latter married Genevieve, daughter of I. Alanson and Susan (Dwelly) Roseboom, and they have had two children, May (deceased) and Maude. Mr. Underwood is proprietor of the popular Underwood Hotel in the village of Dexter, of which village he is president. He enlisted in Co. I, 10th N. Y. H. A., in 1862, was promoted to corporal in 1863, and served until the close of the war, receiving his discharge May 28, 1865. He was in the battles of the Wilderness and Petersburg, was at the front in the defense of the National capital, and was present at Lee's surrender. Joseph Underwood married for his second wife, Julia, daughter of Daniel and Arvilla (Marsh) Whitney, of Brownville.
Richard Van Allen was born in 1773, and his wife, Nancy Timmerman, in 1779. Their son, Mindred, was born in St. Johnsville, N. Y. 1781 (?), and came to Watertown about 1830, finally locating in Brownville where he died in 1849, aged 68 years. He married Maria, daughter of John and Margaret Vandewalker of St. Johnsville and their children were Emily, Jerome, Myron, Addison S., Augustus P., Daniel D., John, Charles L., and Ellen C. John and Augustus Van Allen served in Co. K 35th N. Y. Regt. and Jerome in Co. B, 20th N. Y. Regt. John Van Allen reenlisted in Co. B, 20th N. Y. Cavalry. Daniel D. served two years in the 35th Regt. and one year with the 2nd Conn. Artillery. Charles served in Co. B, 20th N. Y. Regt., and Myron in Co. M., same regiment. Augustus Van Allen married, first, Mary Benson, of Elmira, N. Y., by whom he had four daughters, viz.: Eva, Ida, Jennie, and Hattie. He married, second, Mrs. Marian Wait, daughter of Hiram Loomis, of Dexter, and by her has one son, Daniel, and resides in the village of Dexter.
John Vandewalker, who served in the War of 1812, was a native of Montgomery County, whence he removed to this town in 1839. He married Maria Rider, who bore him 11 children, among whom was John, who married Delia, daughter of Richard and Nancy Van Allen, of Herkimer, N. Y., by whom he has six children, viz.: Harriet, Martha, Lorenzo, Charlotte, Eunice, and Jerome. The latter, of this town, was born in Herkimer County and came to this town in 1840. He married Susanna Lawyer, of Brownville, and their children are Lorenzo J, Lida D., and Clark C.
John Vogt was a native of Baden, Germany, where he died in 1852, aged 42 years. By his wife, Margaret Quenzer, he had two children, Martin and Jacob. The latter immigrated to America in 1873, and located in this town where he now resides. Martin came to Brownville in 1874, and settled on the farm with Jacob. He married Annie Hartman, of Canada, and they have five children, viz.: Caroline, John, Eva, Rosina and Edna.
Christian Walrath, a native of St. Johnsville, N. Y., came to Brownville in 1835, and was the first permanent settler on a farm on road 16, now known as the Walrath farm, where he remained until his death, aged 85 years. He married Catharine Hillagas, of St. Johnsville, N. Y., and their children were Jonas, Nathaniel, Reuben, Magdelaine, Mary, and Margaret. Reuben Walrath married Lura A., daughter of Angevine and Phebe (Locke) Lawrence of LeRay, and their children are David H., Esther J., Mary A. and Ruby A. David H. married Jennie, daughter of Simeon Cocagne of Cape Vincent, by whom he has one daughter, Rosie, and resides on the homestead farm.
Charles Welch, a native of New Hampshire, came to Brownville in the early days when there were but two log homes in Watertown. He died here, aged 86 years. He married Eunice Cole and they reared a number of children, one of whom, Nathan, still resides in this town where he was born. Nathan married, first, Susan Anderson of Clayton by whom he had seven children, viz.: Lyman M., Eliza, James S., Olive, Anderson C., Oren E., and John H. His second marriage was with Jane Delong of De Kalb, St. Lawrence County, and their children were Susan, Ida, Charles and Lewis. John H. Welch married Nancy, daughter of John and Hannah Gunn of Herkimer, and their children are Stella, Maggie M., Arthur J., Clark N., and Mabel E. He served in the late war in Co. I, 10th N.Y.H.A. three years and was honorably discharged at the close of the war.
Herbert Whittemore, a native of Massachusetts, came to Sackets Harbor among the early settlers, where he remained until his death, in 1858, aged 65 years. He served at the battle of Sackets Harbor in the War of 1812. He married Abbie Allen, a relative of Ethan Allen, the Revolutionary hero, and their children were John, Paul, George, Matthew and Abbie. Paul Whittemore was born at Sackets Harbor and now resides at Cape Vincent. He married Minerva, daughter of Henry and Miranda (Collamer) Breck, and his children are Frank A., Henry B., Ira A., Miranda, Florence M., Clara F., Paul T., and George C. The latter, of this town, married Minnie A. Whittier, a cousin of John G. Whittier, the poet.
Francis Williams, from Dutchess County, removed to LeRay, in this county, where he died. Of his four children, Jacob married Catharine Smith, and their children were Eliza, Hiram, Henry, Mary A., John, Norman, Grover B., and Morgan. The latter, a native of Fairfield, Herkimer County, removed to Pillar Point in 1830, where he now resides. He married Calista A., daughter of Samuel and Sally (Sherman) Reed, and their children are Alambert G., Eugene E., Ida, Germain, and Edgar D. The latter married Ida E., daughter of James and Margaret (Sills) Drury, of Pillar Point, and they have one son, Harry M., and reside on road 80. Alambert G. Williams, now a resident of Chicago, served in Co. H., 10th N.Y.H.A. as a private and was promoted to a second lieutenancy in a colored regiment at Vicksburg, Miss. Germain Williams married Mary, daughter of Nathaniel Walrath of Brownville and they have two children, Grace G. and Eddie G.
Jeremiah Wilson, a Revolutionary soldier, was a native of Rhode Island, whence he removed to Brownville in 1840, and in 1843 located in Watertown, where he died in 1872, aged 73 years. He married Mercy Ann Spicer, and their children were Eliza, Harriet, Gordon, Josiah F., Elmira, Hannah, James, John and Maria. Josiah F. Wilson married Rachel, daughter of Morris and Lucy (Starks) Lee, and their children are Henry, Albert, Estella, Mercy A., Eugene, and Ida. He served in the late war in Co. L, 18th N. Y. Cavalry. His sons Albert and Henry also served in the same regiment in Co. I.
Capt. Francis Winn was born in South Reading, Mass., in 1782, and died in Holden, Mass. in 1840. He married Eliza Jackson, of Boston, and of their eight children, Francis W., born in Woburn, Mass., came to this town in 1840. He married Harriett, daughter of Sylvanus and Lucy (Baker) White, of Charlton, Mass., and their children are Harriet W., William H., Frederick, Ann E., and Mary L. William served in Co. I, 10th N. Y. H. A., was honorably discharged at the close of the war, and is now drawing a pension. He was in the engagement at Petersburg, April 2, 1865, and was also in Petersburg at the time of Lee's surrender. He was in the Shenandoah Valley campaign in 1864.
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