Benton Biographies 

A - E

History & Directory of Yates Co., Vol 1, Pub 1873, by Stafford C. Cleveland  Pg172 - 345 

Return to Home Page                                      Return to Benton Bio Index

 

ALLEN   pg 332 � 334

Gideon ALLEN was a native of New Jersey, a nephew of  Col. Ethan ALLEN of Revolutionary fame, and was married in Orange county, NY, to Sophronia AYRES in 1797. Samuel, their oldest son, was born in 1799. Gideon ALLEN was a miller, came to Penn Yan in 1810 and was the first miller in the mill built by Abraham WAGENER, on the north side of the outlet, where the mill of Casner & Scheet now stands. In less than a year he died of typhoid fever, leaving six children, Samuel, Catharine, David, Abigail, Martha and Gideon, the last born a few weeks after the death of the father.  The mother kept the family together, and moving into what is now Benton, reared them in a highly creditable manner by the aide of the elder children. The oldest, now Col. Samuel ALLEN, went to service at the age of 12years, and worked five years for Levi BENTON Sr., at three dollars a month. Mr. BENTON paid him better than the contract required and Col. ALLEN holds his old employer in the highest esteem and regards him as a man of great personal worth.  After serving his time with Mr. BENTON, he learned the trade of chair maker with Joseph SAFFORD of Penn Yan.  Afterwards he worked with a Scotchman, named ROBINSON, as a carpenter and joiner, which trade he followed for eighteen years.   He worked with Miles LE FEVER, in the erection of the Court House and jail in Penn Yan, and also in the construction of the Presbyterian church in Penn Yan. When 25 years old, he married Charity PERKINS.  They have four children, Smith, Valentine, Catharine and Mary.  Smith married Nancy, daughter of Josiah VOAK, and resides in Benton.  Valentine married Harriet WADDELL and lives on the homestead. He as a solider in the 11th PA cavalry and served for years in the war of the rebellion, a large part of the time on patrol duty in East Virginia, under Col. SPEER.  His duties were difficult and dangerous, and he was engaged in many critical skirmishes, but no large battles.  Catharine is unmarried.  Mary married Wilbur SHARPSTIEN, a farmer of Cayuga county. 

Catharine, daughter of Gideon ALLEN, married James MC CARTER and moved to Reading, PA, where she died. 

David married Elizabeth, daughter of Clark WINANS, and moved to Ohio, thence to Iowa.

Abigail married Granville HAWKES and moved to Ohio, thence to Michigan. Martha died single at 22 years.

Gideon married Laura SNOOK, and moved to Ohio.  He was an accomplished architect and supplied the design for the State capitol at Columbus, Ohio.

Col. Samuel ALLEN, the only representative of the original family left in Yates county, bought a farm on lot 65, in northwest Benton, near Ferguson�s Corners, where he has resided for 54 years.  His mother made her home with him till she died in 1847 at the age of 75 years. Like her, Col. ALLEN has always been a universalist in his religious faith.  He aided in building a Universalist church at Rushville and in former years sometimes attended meetings there.  He was supervisor of Benton in 1860 and has held the office of assessor sixteen years. In the old rifle corps, he rose from the rank of sergeant, to be colonel of the regiment, which embraced the county of Yates. Col. ALLEN states that here members hearing James PARKER preach, when a Universalist at Benton Centre, and at Truman SPENCER�S and always taught him a man of much ability. 

Col. ALLEN states that he is the first man that held a cast iron plow west of Cayuga Lake.  It was one of WOOD�S patent manufactured at Aurora.  One TOWSLEY, the real inventor of the plow, was an acquaintance of Levi BENTON Sr., and at his request, Mr. BENTON went to Aurora and brought home one of the plows, in1815, the first they informed him, that came west of the Lake. Col. ALLEN was then a lad in the employ of Mr. BENTON. Soon afterwards, Mr. BENTON brought a number of these plows to that neighborhood and they were sold to most of the principal farmers thereabouts. They were steel point and sold at the price of $25. Even at that price, the farmers were not slow to learn that they were a great improvement on the old �Bull Plow�.

 

ANGUS   pg 181-184

Charles WILLIAMSON never failed to engage his brother Scotchmen in his employ when opportunity offered, and seldom made a mistake in so doing.  He employed Walter ANGUS to build his mill at Hopeton.  The young Scot was a millwright who had been but a short time in America, having landed in New York in 1793.  He lived at Hopeton, and worked for Captain WILLIAMSON there and at Bath till 1800, when he bought a farm of 114 acres of Benjamin BARTON, on which he settled the next year.  He went to New York once with a sleigh to get castings for the Hopeton mill. His son, John, relates among reminiscences given by Mr. ANGUS, that of a bear hunt, in which he and his neighbor, with several dogs, chased a bear up the Kashong creek to Bellona, through the saw mill and was only diverted from running into a house by a woman in the door.  He ran a mile or two further before he took refuge in a tree. They killed this one and the dogs treed another, which they shot at sixteen times ineffectually, and only secured by cutting down the tree. Walter ANGUS was noted for fruit grafting and for having the best apples in any of the orchards of his day.  On one occasion he took a single bushel of his greenings to the Salt Works at Syracuse, and received quite a load of salt for them. He lived on his farm till 1855, when he sold it to his son, David.  He went afterwards to Michigan and lived with his daughter, Agnes, for one year and died there in the ninety-first year of his age. He was buried on the old farm where he had lived over half a century. His wife was a Miss DAVIS, (Fanny Davis) who died in 1855 at the age of seventy-eight.  They had ten children, Lydia 1st, Lydia 2nd, Ann, Mary, David, Charles, John, Andrew, Agnes and Maria. The first two died in infancy as did the forth. 

Ann married Elijah SHAW and lived and died in Barry, Orleans County, NY, without children. 

David, the fifth child, was born in 1800. He married Mary BURGE, lived for a time in Hornby, Steuben county, and afterwards in Benton.  He was a carpenter and builder of threshing machines. He owned one half the Bellona mill property a number of years, and had charge of it.  For some years he was a miller at Branchport.  He finally built a steamboat at west Dresden, on a plan of his own invention, which did not prove successful.  His children were: Phebe J., Andrew B., Delia D., Elihu W., Maria E., Mellissa, David H.,William H., Jonathan and Aner.  Phoebe J., married first, Barney CAMPBELL and afterwards, on his decease, John AMES.  She had two children by the first marriage, Mortimer and William, and four by the second. They live now in Indiana.  Andrew B. has been three times married, has one child, lives near Buffalo. His first two wives were Mary Ann and Susan SLINGERLAND, sisters, and his third wife, Louisa PEARCE, the mother of his child. Delia D. married John WHITE, lives in Buffalo and has 3 or 4 children.  Maria married Arthur TUCKER and lives in Indiana.  Melissa married a Mr. BARTHOLOMEW, has one child and lives in West Dresden. Jonathan died a young man, and David and William died young.  Aner is not married. 

Charles ANGUS, born 1802, married Mary, daughter of Thomas BARNES.  Their children were: George W., Maria E., Mary J., Charles T., and William D. He was a farmer in Benton, many years a deacon in the Baptist church, and died in 1854.  His sons, George W. and William D., live on the farm with their mother, and are not married.  Maria E. married James DORMAN, and lives on a place near her father�s old home.  Charles T. was a volunteer in the 50th NY Regiment of Engineers and served through most of the late war.  He married Jennie NARES of Geneva, has one child and lives near his brothers. 

John ANGUS, born 1804, married Deborah M. SMALLEY, of New Jersey.  He is a joiner and has made that his avocation through life.  He resides now in the town of Seneca.  His children are: Andrew A., Walter W., Ellen M., Phoebe A., Mary E., Luther W., Jane S. and Julia E. 

Walter W., now thirty-nine, became deaf at the age of seven, by reason of scarlet fever.  He learned the language of mutes in New York, taught there several years, afterwards in Michigan, and is now a teacher in the state Institution for the deaf and dumb in Indiana.  Phoebe A. lives at home, unmarried.  Luther W., enlisted in 1861, at the age of 20, in the 74th NY volunteers, was in nearly all the great battles of the Army of the Potomac, and was wounded at Gettysburg.  Jane S. married Anthony JACKSON of Seneca, and has two children, Minnie and George Walter.  Julia E. lives with her father, unmarried. 

Andrew ANGUS died in 1828, at the age of twenty-two. 

Agnes, born in 1809, married Horace G. HOLCOMB, lives in Michigan and has two children, Walter and Isabella, each of whom has been married and each has one child.   Maria died at eighteen, in 1831. 

Agnes ANGUS, the sister of Walter ANGUS, married Angus MC DONALD, and has one daughter, Agnes. On the death of her parents, her uncle Walter sent for her and had her brought to this country.  She married Cornelius HOOD of Seneca Falls, and had a daughter, Agnes ,and two sons, one of whom is supposed to have died in a rebel prison. David, a younger brother of Walter ANGUS, married a Miss DOWNS and had ten children.  Among their names are Euphemia, Margaret, Janette, Mary, Agnes, Ann and Maria ,twins, William and Isabella.  On the death of their mother, they were also sent for by their uncle, Walter ANGUS, and brought from Scotland.  The most of the family are in Minnesota.  Euphemia, Margaret and Ann are deceased.

 

BALDWIN  pg 196 - 197

Daniel BALDWIN married Anna PECK of Benton, and settled at Italy Hill, where both died. Their children were Alfred, George, Amanda and Julia. George married Mary TAYLOR and resides in Gorham. Julia married Thomas SANDERS of Jerusalem, where they reside. Amanda married O. GUERNSEY of Jerusalem and emigrated to California.  

Alfred BALDWIN was a physician, and long a prominent citizen of Benton.  He was a man of strict integrity and noted for his settled disbelief in revealed religion. He married Mary JACOBUS, and settled on a portion of the George WHEELER farm, on lot 57.  His wife died leaving one son, Mason L., and his subsequently married, Nancy WHITEHEAD of Saratoga, who survives him. He died in 1865, in the 70th year of his age. Mason L. BALDWIN married Catharine, daughter of Jacob MESEROLE, and resides on the homestead. He has been Assistant U.S. Assessor several years, and is now engaged in banking in Penn Yan.  They have one child, Mary T. 

Delorville BALDWIN married Lydia, daughter of Nathan WHEELER, and emigrate to Lake county, Illinois.  Eliza married Sherwood S. BALL of Penn Yan, where she died without children.  Emeline married Peter C. ANDERSON and they reside on the Jacob BALDWIN farm in Benton.  Their children are, Mary T., Isadore A. and Charles A.;  Huldah died unmarried. 

 

BALDWIN  pg 219 �220

Philemon BALDWIN (wife was Ester) was a miller and a farmer, and engaged somewhat in both vocations.  He settled at an early period on Fist street, and on what afterwards became the WEED farm. He was a man of shrewd and pointed wit, and greatly addicted to jokes and sarcasms.  He was a lover of fun and joviality and was regarded as a man of more than average intelligence and remarkable for quick perception and keen repartee. The naming of Penn Yan is attributed to him. It was a vexed question for some time, and other names came near being fastened on the nascent village.  Finally on one occasion, when the congregated wisdom of the place had grown somewhat mellow over the subject, as the liquor flowed and the discussion warmed, BALDWIN said, �Let it be called Pang Yang.�  This was deemed a compromise by the Pennsylvanians and Yankees of the locality, and though received with repugnance at first, was finally adopted after being improved into Penn Yan.  Mr. BALDWIN while living one year at the foot of Keuka Lake, killed 25 bears, mostly in the lake while they were crossing from one side to the other and many deer besides. His children were: Asa, Philemon H., Amos, Caleb, Rune, George, Mary, Sally Ann, Elizabeth and Esther, only one of whom, Mrs. Mary CHISSOM, now remains in the county.  His son, Philemon H., was for several years a steamboat captain on Keuka Lake.  He died in Penn Yan about 15 years ago.

 

BARDEN    Pg. 184 -194

Otis BARDEN, then a young man of nineteen, and his brother, Thomas, six years older, in the autumn of1789, journeyed on foot form their home in Attleborough, Massachusetts, to the wilderness of the then far west, arriving at Caleb BENTON�s saw mill, September 29th.  Thomas had served in the war of the Revolution, on the side of liberty, as had his brother George, his father and grandfather, the latter having been killed in battle.  His brother, George also died in the service.  They worked for Dr. BENTON and aided in getting out the lumber for the Geneva Hotel, completed by Charles WILLIAMSON in 1794. Having the first choice, they selected places to suit themselves, and bought land of Dr. BENTON � Otis on lot 50 in number eight and Thomas near by in number nine.  Their commencement is so well described by their family historian, Dr. Henry BARDEN, that we copy from him. 

�In North Benton the surface of the land was rolling and watered with brooks and springs, the ridges of gravel or loam soil, some clay, interspersed with intervals of flat lands of much soil; a heavy, tall growth of timer, consisting largely of sugar maple, oak, elm, ash, basswood, beach, hickory, etc., with thick undergrowth, some swamp white oak that would hew from60 to 65 feet, and basswood from three to four feet through, were specimens of the vast woodlands that determined their choice in selecting farms. 

In 1789 they struck the first blow and made the first clearing for their future home, changed works with each other in chopping down the heavy woods and clearing the lands, kept bachelor�s hall, and ground and pounded their corn to samp on the top of a stump.  �Samp and milk�, and �milk and samp�, were principal articles in their bill of fare, and �they used to take a dish of samp and milk very often, about every log, when they got on a large tree,� as they said when recounting their early toils.  

Otis revisited his New England home and returned with his brother James.  His arrival is stated in his journal, - via, �Dayton to No. 8, thence to No. 9 in the first range, where I got home, Feb 21, 1792.� In the mean time his brother Thomas had happily found a helpmate, and was married to Olive BENTON, a worthy daughter of Levi BENTON, February 2nd, 1792. Polly BENTON, an elder sister of Olive�s, married Ezekiel CROCKER in 1791.  This was the first marriage in the town, and it was often said at the time and afterwards, �that everybody in town was at the wedding.� 

It was a valuable discovery in those early days, that " blazed trees" showed not only the landmarks, but the path that led from one neighbor to another, and by the light of these, Otis often found his way to the Friend�s Settlement and made the acquaintance of James PARKER and his amiable daughters.  What came of that happy adventure and acquaintance is duly recorded in the early chronicles of the following year, viz.: that in January the faithful Elizabeth became his wife � �Fly to the desert, fly with me.� 

But the poetry of desert life was never fully realized, until they occupied the log cabin 12 x 12 feet square, in the clearing on the south 100 acres of lot No. 50.  A delightful spot, hemmed in on all sides by a dense living forest, the song of wild birds, the swift foot of the deer, with an occasional glance from old Bruinto break the monotony, constituted their daily surroundings, and their morning or evening calls. 

They bought, at Geneva, March 10, 1793 of Captain Timothy ALLEN, one pot, fourteen shillings; tea kettle, twelve shillings; broken kettle, four shillings; skillet, three shillings, sixpence; bowl, two shilling sand began housekeeping in their solitary log cabin, two or three miles distant  through the woods, to their nearest neighbors, Levi BENTON, Thomas BARDEN, Truman SPENCER and Caleb RICE, toward Geneva.  The next year they built a larger log house on the north bank of the brook opposite the cabin (which stood for nearly twenty years after, and much respected, though rather dilapidated), next another house of hewn logs, two stories high, was added to the south side and extended to the brink of the hill, with a space of ten or twelve feet between the houses, which was enclosed and served as entry, or hall, with a double door on the east side, and a west door to the deep cool well about ten feet distant from the door, with the iron bound bucket hanging in the curb at the end of a long pole and sweep that overlooked the premises. 

Still an additional log room was annexed to the first on the north side, and afterwards a house on the west side of the two-story house was built.  By the time the log mansion began to present an aspect as a model of the rustic architecture of the times; the doves cooed and built their nests in the sunny end of the garret, the bees hummed and swarmed in the door-yard and garden, the children played on the side of the hill and gathered wild flowers and touch-me-nots on the banks of the brook; while currants, cherries, apples, raspberries and grapes were yielding their abundance in this fruitful Eden. 

New settlers yearly came in.  Enterprising men stimulated with hope and working with courage, took hold.  The farming operations went bravely on. The women were equally, if not more prompt ands skillful in their department; never were neighbors so kind and happy. 

In some few years the forests were transformed, as if by magic, to cultivated fields, waving with grain, and orchards bending with fruit; diligent and fair hands had planted seeds that budded and blossomed in the wilderness in common with the native stock; a healthy generation of children had sprung up. 

Dyer WOODWORTH owned the farm and lived in a log house situated a few feet in front of the present residence of Homer MARINER, and his shop was four or five rods to the south of his house.  

Dennis DEAN was the first schoolmaster and taught in the Tubbs log schoolhouse in 1803. The first school mistress was Clarry SMITH, who taught in Dyer WOODWORTH�s blacksmith shop, fitted up in the summer of 1802. 

Otis BARDEN took an active part in the early military organizations, and as Sergeant received orders from Lieutenant Truman SPENCER to warn all the men within his bounds to appear at the house of John CROW, in Geneva, on the twelfth day of June, 1799, �complete in arms as the law directs.:  Thomas BARDEN was Captain.  Under a Lieutenant�s commission, he received the following note:

Lieutenant Otis BARDEN: - You are hereby notified to appear at Powell's Hotel, Geneva, on Wednesday, the 5th instant, precisely at one o'clock p.m. in uniform and with side arms, for military improvement, and have with you your commission.

By order of Lieut. Colonel Joseph HALL, Adj.,       dated Phelps, October 2, 1805. He was promoted to the rank of Captain, but resigned in favor of his neighbor, Stephen WILCOX. 

The north 100 acres of lot No. 50, was purchased by his wife of Dr. BENTON for $300, November 14, 1805, and they added other farms until they found themselves owners of about 600 acres. 

The following names of inhabitants were taken about 1804,by Otis BARDEN, overseer of the highway, extending form the north townline, below the center road to the road running east from Benton Centre, by Levi BENTON�s and were mostly the first settlers and purchases of the farms: 

Joseph RICHIE, Joseph COREY, Rilish WOODWORTH, Dyer WOODWORTH, Elisha SMITH, Elihu WHITE, Timothy GOFF, Silas H. MAPES, Abraham FLORENCE, James SPRINGSTEAD, Jesse LAMEREAUX, Isaac HORTON, Stephen WILCOX, Enos TUBBS, Lyman TUBBS, Joseph SMITH, Richard WOOD, James DAVISON, Artemedorus WOODWORTH. 

Sluman and John WATTLE previously owned the farm of Joseph RICHIE in 1802;  it is now owned and occupied by John W. WILLIAMS. 

Preserving industry and economy, with a desire to help those needing assistance, were the strong traits of Otis BARDEN�s character.  Many a poor family found a house and support in his employ, and some even grew forehanded in working his lands.  He lived in the days flushed with cider, cherry bounce, pure rye and good cheer generally, and neighbors participated freely thereof for years.  But when the Reform came, the decanters and glasses were gradually cleared from the board, and there is not a member of his family at this day but what is strictly temperance, and for many years before his death, he adhered to the principles and practice of temperance. 

During the years of 1818 and 1819, he built his large mansion east of the old site, to be nearer the road, which still stands. Some three or four years previous to his decease, he divided and apportioned all his real estate among his children; granting and conveying to each their portions by his warrantee deed, which deed were confirmed after his death by a decree in chancery.  

He (Otis BARDEN) died in January 1832, at the age of sixty-two, and elder John GOFF preached his funeral discourse. He was kind, affectionate and just in his relations as husband, father and citizen, and respected by all.  His ever faithful and aged wife, survived him upwards of twenty years, and died in1855 at the age of 62. 

They had eleven children, who all lived to adult age, viz.: Betsey, Sally, Charlotte, Susan, Otis, James P., Henry, Ira P., William M., Eleanor C. and Lois E.  

Betsey was born December 16, 1793 and is single; she resides on the homestead, which she owns in common with her sister Mrs. Susan CARPENTER.  She remembers events of that early day.  Sally remained single.  She died in 1849, aged fifty-four years. 

Charlotte was born June 17, 1799. She married Aaron DEXTER, merchant. They moved to Albany, and thence to New York. He purchased and removed with his family on the homestead in Benton, thence to Elmira, NY, where he died October 20, 1865. They had three children: Hamilton P., Caroline E., and John M.   Mrs. DEXTER, Caroline and John M., reside at Elmira, NY; Hamilton P. in New Jersey. 

Susan was born March 14, 1801. She married George CARPENTER, son of Daniel CARPENTER of Ontario County.  They have no children.  They moved to Greece, NY, where he died May 2, 1864.  Mrs. CARPENTER removed to Benton, and resides on the homestead with her sister Betsey. 

Otis was born January 28, 1803. He was a farmer; he married Cata BUTLER, daughter of Stephen BUTLER of Perinton, NY, October 25, 1827. The resided on the homestead and had eight children: Willard F., Orin, Stephen B., Otis, Catharine, Henry P., Elizabeth and Myron.  Otis, Catharine and Myron died when young. He moved with his family to Eureka, Wis., where they now reside. Orin BARDEN was a member of a Wisconsin regiment and participated in numerous engagements in the southwest, during the rebellion.  

James P., was born November 4, 1804. He was a farmer.  He married Charlotte C. GAGE, daughter of Isaac D. GAGE of Benton, April 14, 1827, and resided in Benton.  They have two children, Almeda and Melvin G.  He moved with his family to Jerusalem, NY, thence to his residence near Havana, NY, where they now reside. 

Henry was born September 11, 1806. He is a practicing physician and surgeon, a pupil of Prof. Valentine MOTT, and a graduate in medicine and surgery at the college of Physicians and Surgeons of the University of this State. He has held office under the state and general governments, but has devoted his life ably and successfully to the improvement of popular medicine, in establishing a system of protective and curative specifics. He married Caroline PURDY, daughter of Stephen PURDY, March26, 1836.  They have two children, Helen J. and W. Wallace, the last a graduate in medicine and surgery at the Eclectic Medical College of Philadelphia, in 1867; and also of the Homoeopathic Medical College of Philadelphia, in 1869.  They reside in Penn Yan. 

Ira P., was born October 17, 1808. He was a farmer and married Susan, daughter of Samuel HANLEY, of Hector, NY, and resided in Benton.  They had one child, Elizabeth.  They moved to Hector.  Elizabeth survives both her parents.  She married Reading B. LEFFERTS, and resides in Penn Yan. 

William M., was born February 14, 1812, and married Olive, daughter of Samuel HANELY of Hector. They resided in Benton and had six children:  John M., Oliver P., Aaron, Levi and Louisa, twins, and Samuel H.   Olive and three of her children died while living in Benton.  He moved with the remainder of his family, John M., Oliver P. and Samuel H., to Mansfield, Pa., where he is a practicing Homeopathic physician of good-standing. 

Oliver P. has an honorable war record. He enlisted in Co. F., 11th Regiment, Pa. V. Cavalry and served during a three years� term.  He is a graduate of the Homeopathic Medical College of Philadelphia. He and his brother, John, are practicing physicians in Tioga county, Pa. 

Eleanor C., was born February 10, 1815, and married Daniel RYAL of Milo, a farmer; moved to Farmington, Michigan, thence to Milo, NY, and occupied her residence on the PRENTISS farm. She had one child, Otis B., who died in his infancy in 1840. He was adopted and brought up by his aunts Betsey and Sally BARDEN and Mrs. Carpenter to adult age. He enlisted in Co. I, 148th Regiment NY Volunteers, and died in the service at Yorktown in 1863, aged twenty-three. He was beloved by his comrades and officers, who sent his body to his northern home for burial.  Rev. Frederick STARR, Jr. preached the funeral discourse, and a long procession of friends and neighbors followed his remains to the grave, his coffin draped with the national flag. 

Lois E. was born February 14, 1817. She married Henry H. GAGE, a farmer. 

Capt. Thomas BARDEN, who married Olive BENTON, as before stated, February 2, 1792, had the following children: Thomas 4th,Ezekiel C., Levi, Otis B., Olive, Isaac, Richard and Polly. Thomas 4th served in a Calvary regiment in the War of 1812, making four generations of Thomas BARDENS that resisted British aggression.  Capt. Thomas BARDEN was killed on the 11th of June, 1813, by one John DECKER, a blacksmith, of Potter Centre, at or a little north of the Old Castle, on his march from the lines with his company, in Major HUIE�s regiment. In the hurry and crowding of the march, the horse of Capt. BARDEN, pressed and jostled DECKER.  Fearing that DECKER might think it intentional, he rode back, dismounted his horse, and while putting out his hand with an apology for the collision, DECKER dealt him a violent blow under the left ear and felled him dead at his feet. DECKER was tried for murder, at Canandaigua and convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to State Prison for a term of four years. Thomas 4th, Levi and Otis reside on the homestead in No. 9 (Cemetery). 

Susannah remained in New England, and married Nebadiah SMITH. 

James BARDEN married Olive WOLCOTT, a sister of Elisha and Walter WOLCOTT, and resided in Seneca. They had four children: Chauncey, Olive, Harriet and James. Harriet is the only survivor.  She married Samuel WHEELER, son of George WHEELER of Benton, and resides in Green Valley, Sonoma county, California. In the fall of 1807, Olive, relict of James BARDEN married to her second husband, Dr. Erastus B. WOODWORTH. 

Thomas BARDEN and his wife, the father and mother of Otis, afterwards emigrated to this country with the remainder of their children: Sylvanus, Milly, Eunice, Lois and George. They prepared two ox-sleds of capacious dimensions in which they packed their household goods.  They put before each sled a yoke of large oxen, and one horse before each yoke as leader. They arrived with much joy and cordial welcome at the home of their son, Otis, in March 1799.  A new log house was soon built on a lot of fifty acres, appropriated by their son, Thomas,  as their homestead, on the north side of his lot, and they all moved there. 

Sylvanus married Patty ATWATER, and resided on the homestead.  They had one child, Sylvanus Perry, who owns and occupies the homestead. 

Milly married Rufus SMITH of Seneca, a farmer and had sons and daughters. 

Eunice married Elijah WITTER of Seneca, Ontario county, who owned the mills north of Bethel. 

Lois married Calvin BENTON, a son of Levi BENTON. 

George BARDEN was born February 26, 1788, and named after his brother, who died as before stated, and came with his father to the town of Seneca, NY in 1799.  In August 1808, he married Dolly WITTER, daughter of Elijah WITTER of Seneca.  She was born at Lackawaxen, Pa., February 22, 1780, and in 1810 they moved on the farm where they now reside, in the town of Benton, it being the south half of lot No. 49. 

Here they raised their large family of thirteen children, all of whom reached adult age: Dolly, Hannah, George R., Elizabeth, Sylvanus, James, Levi, Philo, Lucy A., Minerva, Mary J., Martin W., and Tilson C. JAMES, Philo and Lucy died single. 

Dolly married George WHITNEY of Seneca and emigrated to Wheatland, Michigan, where they now reside, with their family: Jane, Barden, Emma and Levi M. 

Hannah married William L. MITCHEL, of Benton and resides at Bellona.  They have no children. 

George R., married Elmira SOUTHERLAND of Potter, daughter of James SOUTHERLAND. They settled in Benton, where he now lives, and where she died, leaving four children: Ashley R., Lucy, Jennie and Theda.   H. Mr. BARDEN married for his second wife, Jennie WILKINSON of Penn Yan. George R. BARDEN represented the county in the Legislature in the session of 1860. 

Elizabeth married William NICHOLS of Seneca. They settled in Benton, where he died, leaving his widow and four children: Marian B., Mary E., Hannah and George. 

Sylvanus married Jane HEDGES of Barrington, and settled in Seneca, where she died leaving five children: James, George, Alice, William and John J.  Mr. B. married a sister of his first wife, Lucinda. 

Levi married Jane CORNING of Ohio, and settled at Portage City, Wisconsin.  They have three children, Willie, Mary E. and Marshal, twins.  

Minerva married John W. MAPES of Gorham, NY, where they settled.  They have two children, Ella and Arley. 

Mary J. married William BARNES of Seneca, and resides on the BARNES homestead.  They have four children: Grace, Albert W., Arthur L. and Freddie C. 

Martin W. married Margaret BRICE of Gorham, NY.  They reside on the BARDEN homestead in Benton, and have seven children: Leolan P., Llewellyn J., Archey B., Cassie L., Jennie, Delfield and Lilly. 

Tilson C., married , daughter of Samuel G. GAGE.  They emigrated to Portage City, Wis., where she died without children.  He joined the 2nd Regiment of Michigan Volunteers and served through the war, being promoted from Lieutenant to Colonel, Judge Advocate, etc., and was commissioned in the regular army as Major at the close of the war. He now resides in Texas, where he is engaged in his profession as a lawyer, and is judge of the court of his locality. For his second wife he married Eva LOUIS of Chicago. 

The BARDEN family is a numerous one, and was so at an early day. It is said that many years ago the BARDENS joined farms in Seneca and Benton for more than three miles in extent on the roads.

 

BARDEN   Pg VII

Mrs. Elizabeth BARDEN - In the subject of this illustration we have an excellent representative of the pioneer women; more than that she represents in her ancestry as the daughter of James PARKER, a conspicuous force in the pioneer movement, and of the early period of the Friend�s society - in her descendants a very prominent Benton family. She was of Rhode Island birth and training, a model of the industrious and thrifty housewife, and possessed of sound religious and moral characteristics.  It was her lot to find, with her sisters, a home in the Friend�s settlement at a very early period, and soon after to be wedded to Otis BARDEN, a young pioneer just opening to the sunlight a home in the dense forests of township number eight in the first range of Phelps and Gorham�s purchase.  How well this home was established from humble beginnings, and enlarged to competence and independence, is eloquently described by her son, Dr. Henry BARDEN, in the text accompanying the portrait. It is due to the good sense of the Doctor, and his profound regard for his excellent mother, together with his high appreciation of local historical records, that the fine portrait of his mother graces this work. There ought to have been several of her contemporaries to represent the feminine element of the pioneer period.  No better class of women ever labored in the cause of civilization.  It was theirs to meet great hardships with heroic patience, and to preserve, amid their trying labors and severe privations, the sweet amenities of live, and the blessing of pure moral sentiments to restrain vice and license.  The daughters of James PARKER were all good women in the best and broadest sense of the word, and did well their part in the several allotments of life, which fell to them. They deserve, with all the admirable women of their period, to be held in long and grateful remembrance. 

 

BELLKNAP   pg 322

Briggs BELLKNAP settled in 1819 where his son, Isaac J. BELLKNAP now resides, in Southwest Benton, on lot 112.  He bought the land of one CIYLER, and it was then all forest, except three acres. Mr. BELLKNAP was captain of a sloop on the Hudson River and had not previous been a farmer.  He married Miama DRAKE, of Orange county, and they came through he �Beech Woods,� a journey of ten days, bringing their family and possessions in a lumber wagon.  Mr. BELLKNAP was a good citizen and a good parent, and his wife, who was one of the early members of the Presbyterian Church in Benton, was a truly excellent woman. They went six miles to attend church in the coldest weather, and would remain at two services neither of them brief, in a meetinghouse, not warmed with fire.  It is not strange that such another impressed her religious convictions on her children. The father died in 1841, at the age of 59 years, and the mother in 1863at the age of 73 years.  Their children were: Lydia, Francis A., James A., Sarah A., Mary E., Isaac J. and George

Lydia, the eldest, married Ira BARBER, a brother of Jeremiah BARBER of Potter. Francis A. married Robert P. SHEPHERD and resides on a part of the original homestead.  They have three children, Sarah A., George B. and Stephen C. Sarah A. is the wife of William LARZELERE of Jerusalem.

James, is a prominent, energetic farmer of Jerusalem. He married Submit C. GREEN of that town.  Their children are: Mary E., Adaline B., Charles C. and Francis A.  Mary E. married Morrison CHASE, a school teacher of Jerusalem, and they have one child, Submit. Adaline married Melmonth DAVIS, a carpenter of Jerusalem and they have one child. 

Isaac J ., a substantial farmer and good citizen, and his sister, Sarah A., both single, retain the old home, which belonged to the family for fifty years. Mary and George died early.

 

BENTON  pg 263 � 270

The New York Lessee Company had its origin and principal seat of operations at Hudson, NY.  Caleb BENTON, of that place, was one of its most prominent and efficient members and managers, and through his patronage and influence, his cousin, Levi BENTON, became a settler on the territory that finally fell into the possession of that ambitious organization of land speculators.  The first man that made an English white man�s home in No. 8, first range, and eastward to Seneca Lake, was Levi BENTON, who came from Cannan, Connecticut, where he married Molly WOODWORTH, a daughter of the elder Abner WOODWORTH of our history.  Levi Jr., the oldest of their sons, was about 18 years old, when in 1789 they came to the Genesee country, and erected their log house, on lot 37, in No. 8. To conceive that they were there far beyond even the borders of civilized life, on ground still trodden by the Red Men, and hundreds of miles beyond the line of their savage warfare, which but a short period before had reddened the border with slaughter and destruction, the wrongs and enmities of which were still cherished by the sanguinary warriors of the forest; to conceive that for hundreds of miles in every direction, from the spot where their home was fixed, there was absolutely little more than the dark overhanging woods, just beginning in a few directions, and at wide intervals to be dotted by the intruding cabins of the pioneers, is to gains some perception of the strong courage and resolute faith which inspired Levi BENTON and his family to make their residence at that time, near the center of No. 8.  Kanadesaga was but an Indian trading post, the Friends were just rallying near City Hill, Caleb BENTON was erecting his sawmill where Bellona stands, and all the rest was the vision of hope.  But it was a hope born of well grounded confidence, in the fertility of the country, and its manifold allurements to the hardy sons of the Atlantic border.

Levi BENTON was a man worthy of high regard.  His character was a personification of genial manliness.  David B. BUEL, who knew him, in a communication to the Yates County Historical Society, gave the following picture of this worthy pioneer: �Esq. BENTON was of medium height, stout build, square features, with even rows of good teeth, fitting squarely together; he had lost one eye. He was cheerful and industrious and constitutionally benevolent; had a keen relish for a good joke, a loud and hearty laugh, which his family of four sons and five daughters, inherited from him. Through the long and misty past, I can best recollect Esq. BENTON as I have so often seen him with his long ox-whip at the side of two good yoke of oxen before the plow, with a loud �haw buck�.  His motto seemed to be to either hold or drive.� Mr. BUEL very happily proceeds, � As a just tribute to the memory of Mrs. BENTON, the write will bear witness that she was in all respects a good pattern of New England housekeeper.  

The family was large, the farm and business were large, and all were trained up in the strictest habits of industry and economy. Her form and feathers are engraved on my memory. Her cheerful smiles of welcome were brighter than the heavy gold beads, she wore.  All were happy in the aid and comfort she bestowed.  Nor was she entirely singular in this regard, for how many homes are held in lasting remembrance by their association with the presiding angel of the homestead. Their house was for many years one of the social centers of that part of Jerusalem, afterwards, Vernon.  Religious meetings of the Methodists and Universalists were occasionally held there. The 4th of July celebrations were held at their house and barns.  In the broad shade of the butternut trees that stood in the rear of the barns the long tables of refreshments were spread, and the orations delivered � the platoons of muskets were fired in honor of the patriotic toasts that were drank, and at evening a nice contra-dance to the music of the shrill fife or violin was enjoyed, and �all went marry as a marriage bell.�

In the Miscellaneous records of Ontario county, there is this entry �UniversalionSociety of Vernon, � organized 1808, Trustees, Levi BENTON of Vernon, Joshua VAN FLEET, Farmington, Seldon WILLIAMS, Augusta, George HOSMER, Hartford, Martin DUDLEY and Samuel GOULD, Canandaigua, Samuel BABCOCK, Gorham. This would seem to have covered a large share of Ontario county, yet It was called the Society of Vernon and Levi BENTON was the first named trustee, showing that there was its principal focus.  This society afterwards had a church in Gorham, and long maintained an important influence in Bento, where its impress is still palpable. Not only as first corners in the land, but as people of more than common usefulness, intelligence and moral worth, were Levi BENTONS�S family held in high esteem.  The sons and daughters were all men and women of more than average character and capacity. Levi BENTON was Supervisor of Jerusalem in 1800, and was Justice of the Peace several years.  As commissioner of highways, he aided in laying out most of the principal roads in what is now Benton and Milo.  His son, Joseph, surveyed many of them.  It seems sad that this venerated pioneer felt impelled in his old age to leave the town to which he had given his name, and move to a still farther western home.  He was led into embarrassment by becoming surety in compliance with his too great generosity of feeling, and in 1816 sold out his beautiful Benton home, and emigrated to Indiana, where he and his wife died a few years later, upwards of 70 years.  The dust of this noble pair should have reposed in Benton soil, in the cemetery which he set apart for public use on his own farm, instead of a far distant state.  They have a lasting monument in the name which the people so wisely and justly conferred on No. 8. 

Their children were Polly, Olive, Levi, Luther, Calvin, Joseph, Nancy, Hannah and Ruby.  Polly married Ezekiel CROOKER in 1791, the first wedding in town.  She became a widow at an early period, and afterwards married Ezra RICE. She died at Prattsburg, and Mr. RICE subsequently married her sister, Nancy, widow of John RIGGS.  David H. BUELL, who learned the alphabet, under the tuition of Ezra RICE, says of him that �he was a man of marked ability, that he taught a good winter school, was a good teacher of music, a good church chorister in the log house or barn, and later a good Justice of the Peace.  Light, firm and agile, in person he was expert in various kinds of labor, and a good man in sickness.  Mr. and Mrs. RICE (Polly) were renowned for Biblical knowledge as well as for controversial talents, both being good speakers.  The right passage seemed always to flow from their lips at the right time.  In those days religious discussion was inevitable and irrepressible, far more than political questions of the present day.�

Olive BENTON married Thomas, brother of Otis BARDEN, February 21, 1792. Their oldest son, Thomas BARDEN, was born in the first house built by Caleb BENTON, where Bellona stands, in 1793. He still survives with a good degree of bodily and mental vigor, and from him many particulars of early history, near Bellona, have been gleaned. Hannah married Robert HAVENS, and moved to Franklin county, Indiana.

Joseph BENTON, born in 1783, was a man of ability and a surveyor.  He married a Miss REYNOLDS of Benton, and moved to Franklin county, Southern Indiana, in 1815.  His oldest son, Mortimer M., studied law in Cincinnati, became eminent in his profession and settled at Covington, Kentucky, where he resides, a wealthy citizen and the president of a railway company.  One of his brothers, John, it is said, because a distinguished physician at Covington.  Joseph BENTON is still living at the age of 87 years, with his son, Mortimer. Little more is know of this family by their relatives in this region. Luther BENTON went to sea and was not afterwards heard from. Calvin married Lois, a sister of Otis and Thomas BARDEN, and resided in Seneca, where they have two sons, Alva and Abner.  She died early and he afterwards married, a sister of Enos T. HARFORD of Benton, and moved to Indiana, finally settling in the northern part of the State.  Ruby, the youngest of the family, married Dr. WEBB, a practicing physician of Benton, who basely left her, and went to Ohio.  Shed died in Benton some years after.

Levi BENTON Jr., inherited the noble qualities of his father, and was a man of superior mechanical ability.  Before the family came to Jerusalem he had learned the trade of millwright, which was his principal business through life.  He had an iron constitution and was a model of sobriety, integrity and industry. Yet it was not his to accumulate property, and he died poor. He married Nancy, daughter of James PARKER, January 24, 1796. His wife was one of those excellent Rhode Island daughters, whose numerous children rise up and call them blessed.  Their first house, built by himself, was where the residence of John W. MC ALPINE now stands, just opposite his father�s home, and was made of white wood plank, three inches thick, laid up lie a log house with the corners dove tailed, a very becoming structure and a neat house. Moses HULL bought that house in 1810, and moved it near Benton Centre.  David H. BUELL finally took it down and has some of the plank for scaffolding in his barn to this day.  In the pursuit of his trade, Mr. BENTON moved from place to place, where he had jobs of mill building, and he accordingly resided at Perry, Wyoming county, Forestville, Chautauqua county, Bethel, Ontario county and other places, and finally, died at Honeoye Falls, NY in 1850, about 79 years old. His wife died at Forestville in 1829, and he afterwards married a widow, whose name has not appeared in these researches, who survived him.  He built a sawmill in North Benton, a gristmill at Bethel, and one of his enterprises was the construction of a stave factory on the Keuka Outlet, just below Penn Yan, near the present location of the paper mill of William H. FOX, which has long since disappeared.  The machinery of this stave factory was ingenious and effective for its purpose, and was one of the inventions of his son, Ezra. Their children were Henry Parker, Ezra Rice, Luther B., Hiram, Olive, Ruby and Eliza. 

Henry P., born December 2, 1796, relates that his education commenced in the first schoolhouse erected at Benton Centre, which he describes as built of split basswood logs with the split side inward, the cracks filled with chinks and daubed with untempered mortar. This at that time was the style of the best houses, not framed.  He proceeds: �Those split logs had begun to season-crack before I commenced my educational career and at that time we had a pedagogue who used to keep me with others of the little A-be-ab ? scholars, a good part of the time on a bench against the wall, with the hair of the head wedged into the cracks of the logs to keep us out of mischief.  As near as I can, now recollect, I made little to no progress under this teacher, but did better afterwards when my uncle Ezra RICE, and others had charge of the school.�

He afterwards, while attending a mill, built by his father at Perry, studied grammar, having the best of all teaching, where there is will, and penetration of mind, because self-taught.  The burning of a schoolhouse with his books and instruments did not deter him from becoming an accomplished surveyor.  

In 1819 he went down the Ohio River, met his grandparents and other relatives in Indiana, soon joined a party of surveyors and spent five years in that employment.  He aided in the survey of some of the large national reserves in Indiana, and finally while engaged in subdividing townships, during a rainy season, was attacked with fever, one hundred miles from any settlement.  Buriding a pack horse, tow to five miles a day, he finally reached friends and assistance and recovered.  After teaching school a few months he returned to his native state, and was employed fourteen years on the Erie Railway as a surveyor. His computation of areas, with plans and descriptions of lands, taken for the road, were copied into the title deeds of the company.   He resides at Elmira and although in his 74thyear, takes the highest pride in his accuracy and skill as a surveyor. He declares if he cannot make a survey close to the nine hundred and ninety-nine thousandth part of an inch, he cannot sleep nights; and adds that though he has to use both hands to wield the pen, because his right hand was disabled by being run over by a hand-car, he writes better than he did before.  

In 1841 he married Clarrissa T., daughter of Andrews A. NORTON, of Angelica.  Their children have been four, Henry,  Norton Levi and a daughter, and son who died young.  

Henry Norton fell at the battle of Fair Oaks, in 1864, and Ezra Levi served a full enlistment in the war, and is now a druggist in Albany.

Ezra Rice BENTON, born in 1801, was an eminent millwright, built some of the best flouring mills at the west, invented much valuable machinery and patented a World Challenging Bran Duster, which proved a lucrative invention, and made him independent.  He married Jane LOKIN in 1827, and she died 10 years later, leaving two children, William W. and Eliza Ann.  The son (William W.) died single, and the daughter (Eliza) married a man of wealth and influence, and is the mother of an interesting family in Michigan. Ezra R. BENTON married a second wife, Martha HOLLIDAY, of Cleveland, Ohio, who survives him. 

Hiram BENTON, born at Bethel, in 1807, was a young man of promise, who taught school and studied medicine, and was cut off by pulmonary disease at the age of 23years.  Olive, also born in Bethel, in 1809, married Reuben GRISWOLD at Forestville, NY. He died, leaving her with two young sons, Leverett and Walter, whom she educates by her own exertions.  Leverett is a noted machinist in the city of New York, and Walter is a competent civil engineer, who has done considerable service in that capacity for the US Government, and has retired from business on Grand Island in Niagara River. The mother resides at Westfield, and is again married.

Ruby BENTON, born at Bethel in 1813, married James HARRINGTON at Forestville. He is a tanner and boot and shoe dealer. They reside at Westfield, NY, and are the parents of three daughters, Anna, Ammie E. and Amelia.  Anna became the wife of Jefferson FRASER, then of Elmira, and died a few months after. Mr. FRASER subsequently married Ammie E., the second daughter in 1855 and they have an interesting family of children, Arthur C., Anna M., George H. and Charles K.,  they reside in Brooklyn, and Mr. FRASER is a noted and successful patent solicitor and a man of cultivated artistic tastes.  Amelia married George W. HOLT, a wealthy citizen of Buffalo, and resides in affluent circumstances at Westfield, NY.  They have one surviving child, William Elijah.

Eliza, the youngest daughter of Levi BENTON, Jr., born in 1816, married Greene ISHAM of Westfield, who died, leaving a son and daughter.

Luther B. BENTON, (son of Levi Jr.) born in 1804, was like most of his family, an ingenious mechanic and inventor, a man of acute intelligence, amiable character and industrious life.  He married Henrietta LAKE, and resided during the later period of his life, a mile southeast of Penn Yan, where he and his son in law, William H. OLIN, cultivated a nursery, and established a fruit plantation of considerable value.  He died in 1865.  Their children are Mary and James F. Mary is the wife of William H. OLIN, a fruit culturist, and a man of wide and varied information.   They have one son, Benton.   James F. BENTON, who is the only representative of the family name left in Yates county, is also an inventor, showing that he inherits the ruling trait of the BENTON blood.  He has invented a new form of landside for a plow, which is regarded as a useful improvement on that valuable implement.  He married Elizabeth LOVEJOY, and they reside in Penn Yan. 

 

BOYD  pg 299

Robert, Lewis, and Phebe were children of Ebenezer BOYD, of Kent, Putnam county, and came to this county in 1814 and located in Benton. Robert BOYD married Anna, daughter of John RANDALL. They settled in Benton about one mile east of Penn Yan, on lot 48, where he died.  They had three children, Salina, Pamelia and Merritt.  Salina died single.  Pamelia married Samuel F. CURTIS.   Merritt married Mary Jane, daughter of Henry TOWNSEND and settled on the homestead, where he died.  His widow married James ARMSTRONG.

Lewis BOYD married Sophia CUSHMAN, a sister of Mrs. Jonathan KETCHUM, and settled on Pre-emption road and finally in 1834, emigrates to Washtenaw Co., Michigan, where he died in 1848, and where his widow had since died. Their children are: Emeline, Harvey, Phebe A., Mial, George, Sarah, Ebenezer, Robert, Almira, Mina and Adaline. 

Phebe BOYD married Archibald CRAWFORD.  They settled in Benton.  He died leaving several children: Coleman, Maria, Susan, Lewis, Barger and Sarah.  The widow married a second husband, Nathaniel HUSON of Starkey, and the father of Dr. Richard HUSON, of Lawrence, Kansas. He is dead and his widow still survives.

 

BROWN  pg 306 � 310

Elisha, Daniel and Martin BROWN were three of seven sons of Elisha BROWN, who were born in Bolton, Connecticut, whence their family moved to Vermont, where their father died in 1802, at the age of 79 years.  Elisha Jr., and Daniel were soldiers of the Revolution.  They emigrated quite early from Vermont to Newtown, where in April 1790, Elisha Jr. married Jemima, sister of Perley DEAN. In February 1793, they moved to Benton, then Jerusalem, and settled first on lot 31, on land now occupied by Jacob WATSON, afterwards a little west of Benton Centre, on land now owned by Dr. John L. CLEVELAND. He was a mechanic, and assisted Levi BENTON Jr., in the construction of several mills, built at an early period about the country. He was also employed by the POTTERS, and was an industrious and useful man.  He died in 1815, at the age of 67 years.  His wife died in 1819, at the age of 48 years.  Their children were: Pamela, Almira, Polly, Tamasin, Sarah, Harriet, Ephraim and Elisha.  Pamela became the wife of Luther WINANTS. Almira married Daniel VAN  TYNE. He was a prosperous merchant at Cleveland, Ohio, from whence he moved to Racine, Wis., where he died, leaving three children: Ann Eliza, William and Kate.  Polly married Peter MOON and resides in Penn Yan, with her daughter, Mrs. Joseph HOLIDAY. Tamasin, married William MOON, a nephew of Peter, and lives west, a widow. Sarah, married Jonathan RUSSEL and is a widow at Marietta, Onondaga Co., NY.  Harriet married Robert MEAD, a nephew of Daniel VAN TYNE.  He has also been a businessman of note, and resides in Racine, Wis.  They have two children, Frank and Ann.  Ephraim died single.  Elisha,  married Margaret, sister of Daniel VAN TYNE and died in Ohio in 1869, at the age of 59 years, leaving no children.

Daniel BROWN born in 1750, married Anna HALL at Newton and moved to Benton (then Jerusalem) in 1797, settling on the place now owned by Mrs. Susan C. SHERMAN on Flat street, lot 39.  Daniel BROWN was employed many years as a mail and newspaper carrier, having a route that extended from Geneva and Canandaigua, to Bath.  As this was the only means of circulating intelligence for many years, his weekly advent in each neighborhood with the local papers, with news perhaps a month old, was a event of the greatest importance. He carried the Geneva Gazette and Ontario Repository, through what is now Yates county; his package consisting most largely of the Gazette. He was also constable and collector of the town many years. He and his wife both died on their homestead, leaving five children: Samuel S., Eunice, Olive, Clorinda and Eliza. Samuel S. married Elizabeth NEWMAN of Benton. He was a captain of militia, and was familiarly known as �Capt. Sam BROWN.�  He was a good citizen and died very suddenly in Penn Yan, about 15 years ago (abt. 1855) and his widow and four children have moved west.  Eunice became the wife of William RIGGS and moved to Monroe, Michigan.  Olive resides at Monroe, Michigan, single. Clorinda married Isaac NEWTON of Vermont and moved to Cattaraugus Co., NY, where he died leaving several children. Eliza died single, in Benton.

Martin BROWN, born in 1761, married at the age of 19, to Sarah HAMMOND of Windsor Co., Vermont.  He came to Vernon in 1803and purchased 107 acres of land on Flat Street, lot 41, of Elisha WOODWORTH, at nine dollars per acre, now the south part of John MERRIFIELD�S estate. He put up a log cabin and accompanied by his brother Elisha, returned to Vermont for his family and effects.  With two loaded wagons, one drawn by three horses and the other by two pairs of oxen, and driving six cows and thirty sheep, they started on the first day of June,1803 and in 26 days, arrived at their log cabin on Flat street. Their domicile, until the following winter, had neither door, window nor chimney, and only some loose boards for a floor. There they lived and aided in the steady work of pioneer improvement until Mr. BROWN died in 1824, at the age of 63 years. His wife survived him till 1852, dying at the age of 88 years.  Their children who reached adult age, were Ebenezer, William S., Martin, Daniel Deborah, Lora, Lydia and Emma.

Ebenezer married Hannah SHAY, and resided for a considerable period in Penn Yan. He was the sheriff of Yates county one term, to which office he was elected in 1825 and postmaster at Penn Yan several years. He emigrated to Goshen, Indiana, where he died in 1853, leaving four daughters, who reside there: Sarah, Emma, Henrietta and Jannet. 

William S. married Eliza SWEET, of Benton and emigrated to Plymouth, Indiana where his widow survives, with three children, Charlotte, Martin and Hatley N.

Martin Jr., married Elizabeth, daughter of Andrew RECTOR, of Benton in 1824. They had four children: Charles H., Andrew M., Charity, C. and Calista E. In 1849 he married a second wife, Mary Finger; and in 1859 a third, Epha MILLSPUAGH.  He has always resided in Benton, where he has been a useful and respected citizen and survives at the age of 68 years.  He has filled numerous offices in his town, and was eight years a Justice of the Peace. He resides in southwest Benton, where Clark WINANS was the original settler, on lot 83, though he lived about 30 years on Flat street. His son Charles H., married Lydia WAGNER of Benton. They reside at Ada, Kent Co., Mich., and have two children, Eleanor A. and Haley N.   Andrew M. married Caroline BENEDICT of Jerusalem, where they reside. Charity C. married Jacob SCHENCK, of Potter and resides at Ada, Kent Co., Mich.  Their children are Martin, Fred, Eleanor and Elizabeth.  Calista married Jacob N. JONES of Benton, where they reside.  Their children are: Hannah E., Mary E., Flora J., Alice and James M.

Daniel died single, while on a journey west, at Cleveland. Cause unknown.

Deborah, married Bela RICHARDS, who came with her father�s family from Vermont. They lived on Flat street, on land now belonging to the KETCHUM estate. He died wile on a journey west to view the country, and his widow resides in Jerusalem.  Their children were: Maria, Sarah, Eliza and Almena.  Sarah married Augustus L. COOKINGHAM of Jerusalem. They have four children: Marietta, Dallas M., Eliza and John P.   Dallas M. married Nancy ROBINSON of Middlesex and resides in that town. Eliza RICHARDS married Abraham BEYEA and resides at Tyrone, NY. Their children are: Frank, Fanny and one more. Almena married Alexander KEECH, of Jerusalem, and resides at Rockford, Michigan.   They have two children. Maria married Milton S. BUELL, adopted son of Cyrus BUELL of Benton and settled on Bluff Point where he died,  leaving three children, Ann, Helen and Frank.  Ann married Perry DAINS, of Jerusalem, where they reside.  Helen married Augustus A. CHIDSEY, a printer of Penn Yan.  They reside at Detroit and have one child, Charles. Frank died single.

Lora married John L. LEWIS the early and highly distinguished school teacher.

Lydia became the second wife of James SHERLAND, the father of William H. SHERLAND, now residing in Benton.  They emigrated to Plymouth, Indiana, where she died, leaving four children: Ebenezer, George, Madama and Sarah.

Emma married James WEED. He died without children and she married Andrew LAMERAUX. They now reside in Michigan.

  

BUELL  pg 207 - 213

William BUELL, who emigrated from England, and landed at Dorchester, Massachusetts in1630, is said to be the common ancestor of all the BUELL'S in this country. 

Samuel BUELL Sr., the Benton pioneer, was of the fifth generation from William of Dorchester.  He was born at Hebron, Connecticut, in 1740, was a solider in the French war and captain of a militia company in the Revolution, called out for the public defense in the vicinity of Fort Edward.  His son, Cyrus BUELL, at the age of 15 years, was serving as a solider within Fort Ann, when it fell into the hands of the British. The young prisoner was taken to Canada, spent a winter among the Indians, and fell into the hands of a British officer, who kept him three years at Montreal and Quebec, and sent him to school. At the end of the war he returned to his father�s family at Fort Edward.  The family then removed to the Susquehanna valley, stopping one winter on Schoharie creek.  Cyrus BUELL built the first cabin at Great Bend. A freshet* swept away his corn the first year, and he then removed to Unadilla.  In 1792 the family came with that of Eliphalet HULL and Ezra COLE to this county, an settled around the center of township NO. 8; Cyrus BUELL and his young wife on lot 115, and his father with the residue of the family, on lots 78 and 76, where Henry C. COLLIN now resides.  There, Samuel BUEL Sr. died, seventeen years later in 1809,at the aged of 69 years.  His first wife was Sarah, daughter of Peleg HOLMES of Kent, Litchfield county, Connecticut.  She died at Fort Edward in 1772, at the age of 30 years, leaving six children: Sarah, born in Connecticut in 1761, and Samuel, Cyrus, Paulina, Betsey and Ichabod, born at Fort Edward, the latter the same month that his mother died.  The second wife was Susan MORES, and the children of this marriage were: Henry, Catharine, Anna, Hannah, Esther, Artemas, Mary and Matilda.  The birth of Matilda BUELL in September 1792, was among the first in that town.    [freshet - a sudden rise in the level of a stream, or a flood, caused by heavy rains or the rapid melting of snow and ice.]

Sarah BUELL, the oldest of the children, married Amaziah PHILLIPS, an settled in Cayuga county about 1792.

Samuel BUELL Jr., married Jerusha GRISWOLD, and settled on the west part of lot 115. The store of Oliver P. GUTHRIE stands on a corner of his farm. In 1816 they removed to Vevay, Switzerland county, Indiana, with their seven children: Elias, Anna, Henry, Mary, Eliza, Cyrus and Samuel.

Cyrus BUELL, who married Sarah HULL, October 1, 1791, settled immediately on the arrival of the little colony, on the spot where David H. BUELL now resides on lot 115.  They lived till the approach of cold weather in a hastily erected bark cabin. Then a good log house was built, which afforded them a comfortable residence more than twenty years.  It had a good shingle roof, nailed on, and glass windows. The glass and nails were happily brought with them, and these were unusual luxuries for the period.  

In 1814, the present mansion of David H. BUELL was erected on nearly the same ground where the log house and bark cabin stood. Here Cyrus BUELL died in 1835, at the age of 70 years, and his wife in1866, at the precise age of 91 and one half years. Their only child was David H. BUELL, born September 3, 1795, and now living at the age of 74 years.  He is one of a very small number native to this county born before the close of the18th century, and few now living represent so worthily and perfectly the early life of Yates county.  His residence on the same spot where his father settled in the unbroken thickets of a dense wilderness in 1792, illustrates that noble principle of social continuity which imparts the greatest value and power to all human society. It represents permanence and stability, as opposed to that ever changing dispersive tendency so common to American life, and so hurtful to the best features of social growth.  We find too few examples of this family and local continuity in Yates county history. David H. BUELL is the President of the Yates County Historical Society, worthily and wisely chosen.  He is a personal embodiment of a large scope of early history. His mind is a valuable magazine of facts and his memory is seldom at fault in regard to early events that came within his knowledge, and is appreciate so well the value of historical accuracy, and the wrong of allowing oblivious to cover, past redemption, the pioneer history of our locality.  Mr. BUELL has in his house a fine black walnut book case made from a tree of this father�s planting.  In the fall of 1792, when they drew home form Kashong the corn planted the Spring before, they threw in some black walnuts.  From one of these grew the tree, which stood 67 years near the residence of Mr. BUELL.  It began to decay, and he had it cut down, and a bookcase made from the lumber in memory of his father, and the tree he planted so early in the settlement of the county.

When the company came from Unadilla, one of the most precious boxes of their baggage contained 600 young apple trees, all of which were planted out, and became in a few years a source of luxury and income.  A cider mill was erected at an early date, and people came from far and near, and especially from the hills of Steuben for supplies of apples and cider. Men that could not pay with money, would pay in labor for the cherished fruits of the orchard.  Some of those trees are still standing on Mr. BUELL�S farm.

The character of the forest no doubt impressed the early settlers with the high quality of the soil that produced it.  Mr. BUELL still has 20 acres of original wood divested of its undergrowth, and finer timber cannot be found.  The tall trees running from 60 to 80 feet, with trunks almost as large as at the base, indicate a remarkable soil for trees to grow in. The prevalence of the Sugar Maple, made the sugar making business every recurring spring, imperative, and never to be omitted until more recent years.

The cattle during the early years, found their living in the woods in summer and at the first subsisted chiefly on browse in the winter. Every settler knew his own cowbell and many of them were very clear and sweet toned bells on those days.  Mr. BUELL says that his father often traced his cattle a long distance in the woods by the sound of his bell, and that he sometimes heard and distinguished it as far as three or four miles. 

George BENNETT, who married Betsey BUELL, settled where Samuel B. GAVE now lives, and was an excellent blacksmith and manufactured theses bells of all sizes, and of the most superior quality.  No such bells are to be had now. 

David H. BUELL married Elizabeth, daughter of Joshua ANDREWS. Their children were: Sarah E., Anna M., Mary A., Emily and Cyrus. He had a second wife, Margaret, daughter of Stephen A. WOLCOTT of LeRoy. 

Of his children, Mary married Robert S. EMONDS, and died leaving one child ,Elizabeth.  Cyrus married Elizabeth, daughter of Caleb J. LEGG and both died without children. Mr. BUELL was elected County Clerk in 1843 and filled the office one term.  In early life, he and his cousin, Gideon WOLCOTT, and some of their associates, were accomplished musicians, playing on the fife and clarinet with remarkable skill.   He was a Fife Major in the old 42nd Regiment of Militia, to which office he was appointed by Colonel James BOGERT.  They afterwards joined Captain George SHEARMAN�S famous company of cavalry, where they played on the clarinet. It was their pride to attend the grand reception given to LA FAYETTE at Geneva in 1825, where they were highly complimented.  The full band was David H. BUELL, Gideon WOLCOTT, Mordecai OGDEN, Erastus B. WOLCOTT, Nathaniel FINCH, bugler, and George W. WOLCOTT, key bugler.  Their playing was everywhere praised as the best anywhere known. Mr. BUELL�S family represents the culture and advance of the times.  The homestead is a delightful place, and the ancient domicile is the abode of kind and cheerful inmates, who regale their friends with artistic music and intelligent conversation, affording the visitor pleasing recollections of this life of change, hurry, toil and too often bluff hospitality.

Paulina BUELL married John COLEMAN, and settled in St. Lawrence county, NY.

Betsey BUELL married George BENNETT, and they, after a short residence where Samuel B. GAGE resides, moved to Aurelius, Cayuga county, where she died about 1805. The husband and family subsequently removed to Switzerland county, Indiana.

Ichabod BUELL was born July 10, 1772.  He married Phoebe BUTLER and settled on a portion of the homestead, where they remained till 1837, when they moved to Jerusalem. Their children were John, Samuel, Robert, Lorenzo, Sally, Huldah, Harriet and Matilda.  John moved to Pennsylvania and died at Altoona, PA in 1867, leaving a widow and family.

Samuel born November 30, 1800, married Jane A MUNGER of Jerusalem in 1837. He kept a public house for some time in Shearman�s Hollow, and afterwards returned to Benton, where he has held office of constable for many years and has long been known throughout the county in that capacity, having done a large share of the business for the Penn Yan magistrates. He is usually so much a popular favorite that little if any opposition is made to him. 

Robert, born in 1802, married Phoebe DREW in 1843. He was 12 years a Justice of the Peace in Benton, residing at Penn Yan; and moved to Plainfield, Michigan, where he died in 1854, leaving no children. 

Lorenzo, born 1807, married Amy WIDNER of Chili, NY in 1838.  They lived in this county till 1853, when the emigrated to Howell, Michigan, where she died leaving three children: Huldah, Henry C. and Dewitt C.  Polly married Michael FISHER and lived in Gorham, removing to Michigan in 1835.  They have a large family. 

Sally married Selah RANDOLPH of Clarkson, NY, settled in Benton and afterwards in Potter, where she died leaving several children, among whom were: Jane, Sarah, Harriet and John.  Huldah married James MILHOLLON, settled in Benton, and moved to Michigan in 1836 with three children.  Harriet married James T. PEARCE of Jerusalem and afterward moved to Penn Yan where her husband died in1863, leaving one daughter, Sarah, who married A. SHEPHERD of Jerusalem. Matilda married James C. DENIO of Perry, Shiawassee county, Michigan.

Henry BUELL died young at Unadilla.

Catherine BUELL married William HILTON Jr., and settled on the north part of the HILTON homestead, now the property of Dr. John L. CLEVELAND, where he died leaving five sons (HILTON): Orman, Samuel Artemas, Berget and Ariel. She afterwards married Clark HILTON, a brother of her first husband, and moved to Clarence, Erie County.  They had several daughters by the second marriage.

ANNA BUELL married Russel YOUNGS of Benton and settled on a new farm in Benton about1801, where he died in 1832, leaving six children: Alma, Polly, Maria, Milan, Oliver and Fanny.  Alma died young and Polly became the wife of Ezekiel CLARK of Jerusalem.  Maria married John W. CORNWELL, a tailor, of Benton and settled near the homestead, where he died, leaving his widow and two children, John and Ann.  Milan YOUNGS is unmarried and resides with his mother on the homestead. Oliver married Miss SCOTT of Seneca, and emigrated to Wisconsin. Fanny married Samuel H. CHAPMAN and resides on the YOUNGS homestead. He is a school teacher of note and 30 years experience, and the present Crier of the Yates County Courts.  Their children have been: Charles E., Mary Jane, Henry O., Alson, Russel, Eugene and Fred.  Charles was a soldier of Co. I, 33rd Regiment, NY Volunteers and died in a hospital, September 5,1862.  Henry O. died young and Alson, is a teacher in Penn Yan Academy. 

Hannah BUELL married Newell MOUTH and settled in Clarence, Erie Co., NY. Esther BUELL married Mr. FRENCH and also settled in Clarence, Erie Co., NY.  Mary BUELL married Luther YOUNGS and likewise settled in Clarence.  Matilda BUELL, one of the first born of Benton, married Levi BUNNELL and settled in Clarence. 

Artemas BUELL married Mary, daughter of Seth HULL and settled on the BUELL homestead, about 1800, near the present residence of Henry C. COLLIN. In 1816 they emigrated to Ellery, Chautauqua county, an subsequently removed to Sugar Grove, Warren county, Pennsylvania, where he died and several of the family still reside.

  

BUSH  pg 314-315

Lodowick BUSH, born in 1762, married in 1787, Laney VISSHEE, who was born in 1771. They were natives of New Jersey and had fourteen children, twelve of whom became adults and nine were married.  They were: Margaret, Bernard, Peter, John L., Andrew, Francis C, Hannah, Catharine, Henry, Mary, David and Maria Jane.  They were all born in New Jersey, near Bergen and in 1817 came to this county, and located where Bernard BUSH now lives, near the old Presbyterian Meeting House.  The father bought about 600 acres of land, intending one hundred for each son.  He subsequently moved to a farm on the Pre-emption road, where he built a sawmill and made other improvements.  Here his son, John L. BUSH settled and resided while he lived. The parents finally removed to Romulus, Seneca county, where they died within a few weeks of each other in 1839.  Margaret, born in 1788, married Albert VAN WINKLE of New Jersey, where he died. She afterwards resided with her parents. She had three children, none of whom survive.

Bernard, born in 1790, married Mary FORSHEE, of New Jersey.  They settled on the first home of LODOWICK, in Benton, where he resides a widower.  Their children were: Ellen, John, Peter and Rebecca.  Ellen married Palmer ELLIUS, residing in Torrey. John married Huldah BENEDICT and resides in Milo. Peter married Julina HALL and resides in Potter. Rebecca married Joseph MAPES and resides on the homestead.

Peter, born in 1794, married Ellen DENNISTON of Geneva, where they reside. They have three children, Alexander H., Hannah and Caroline. Alexander H., was a volunteer in the 126th regiment and died while they were encamped at Chicago. [Civil War Vet]

John L., born in 1797, married Hannah H. CODDINGTON, of Benton, and settled on the paternal farm on the Pre-emption road, where he died in 1865. Their children were: Mary, Benjamin, Stephen, Catharine, Sarah, Charles D. and George.   Mary married Henry L. GREEN and resides at Baltimore.  Benjamin married Margaret TURNER of Benton and resides near the old homestead.  They have two children, Elizabeth and Harriet.  Stephen married Elizabeth TURNER, and resides at Baltimore. Charles D. married Martha LYNN of Newburg, NY. They reside in Benton, near the homestead, and have one child, Bell.  George married Althea ROSENKRANS of Benton, and emigrated to Fowlerville, Michigan.  They have one child, Helen.  Catharine and Sarah are single, and reside with their mother, at Bellona. 

Andrew, born in 1799, married Elizabeth ACKERMAN of New Jersey. She died in Benton leaving three sons, James, Peter and one other. 

He married a second wife, and emigrated to Salone, Michigan, where he resides with a third wife, Elizabeth CARBON of Fayette, NY. There is one daughter, Francis, by the second marriage, and two children, Andrew and Elizabeth by the third.

Frances C., born in 1801, married John VAN GIESON of Varick, NY and emigrated to Lodi Plains, Mich., where both died, leaving seven children: Andrew, John, Peter, Catharine, Henry, Jane and Mary A.

Hannah married David DENNISON and lived in Orleans Co., NY.

Henry, born in 1808, married Margaretta LACEY of Benton, and emigrated to Cottage Grove, Wis., where they reside.  Their children are: Asahel, Anderson, Silas, Mary and Dora.

David born in 1813, married Rachel, daughter of William MC LEAN of Benton, (now Torrey) and emigrated to State Line, Indiana, where he die and his family resides. Their children are, William, Hatley, Peter and Harriet. Catharine and Maria Jane are unmarried and reside at Geneva. 

  

CHISSOM pg 217 � 218

The pioneer settled on Head street was Robert CHISSOM, a native of Dover, Dutchess county.  He married Susan, daughter of George WHEELER Sr., and located where Dr. Uri JUDD lived many years, now the residence of Stephen B. AYRES.  There they erected a log house, which became a tavern as soon as such a house was needed, and very naturally started a distillery.  He died on the day of the great eclipse in (June 16) 1806, at the age of 35 years. Their children were Catharine, Peter, Ephraim, Hannah and George.

Peter married Elizabeth BALDWIN and emigrated to Indiana.  Ephraim married Sally MILLS and settled in Cameron, Steuben county. George married Ruth WILLIAMSON and also settled in Cameron.

Hannah married William, a son of Judge Arnold POTTER, who died early, and she subsequently married Fisher W. HEWSON, and returned to the CHISSOM family homestead, where she still lives, surviving her second husband. Her children are: George A., Robert C., and Susan A., all by the second marriage (Mr. HEWSON).

George A. HEWSON is a physician of Penn Yan.  He married Sabra, daughter of John ELLSWORTH.  Robert C., has been admitted as a lawyer, but does not practice, is unmarried and resides with his mother on the homestead in a residence a few rods west of the place where the log house of Robert CHISSOM was erected in 1792, in the midst of an unbroken wilderness. Susan A., married Lyman W. GAGE, formerly a railway conductor, and now of the firm of Armstrong & Gage, hardware merchants of Penn Yan.

Catharine married Horatio CRANE of Hartford, Connecticut, and settled in Penn Yan on the homestead.  He died at Benton Centre in 1867.  Their children were: Alma, George, Charles, William and Wemple H., all of whom reside in Michigan except Wemple H., who is a physician, heretofore of extended practice, but now a farmer on the old Elisha WOLCOTT place, lately owned by George S. WHEELER, whose daughter, Dorcas E., is his wife.  He is a valued and prominent citizen.

Mrs. Catharine CRANE, now residing with her son, Dr. CRANE, was the oldest of Robert CHISSOM�S children, and the first white child born within the boundaries of Penn Yan.  She is now 76 years old. She relates that her father�s residence was a double log house, with a hall in the center large enough for setting a table. He afterwards erected a frame part in the rear. He obtained some lumber at Dr. BENTON�S sawmill to make a shanty to live in while putting up his log houses.  Blankets were tacked over the windows before sash and glass were put in. One night a wolf put his paws on the window sill and pushed his nozzle against the blankets but did not push his way in.  In the absence of better vehicles, the early settlers made what they called drays.  This rig was a sapling with a crotch and boards fastened across the extended branches, with the single end fastened in the ring of the ox yoke, they were ready to go to mill or elsewhere as might be required. Mrs. CRANE states that bears were very numerous and no less than fifty were killed in one season around the lower part of Keuka Lake.  Her father and Nathan WHEELER killed one in Sheppard�s Gully that weighed 500 lbs.  She says the first dry goods she ever saw were in the store of John LAWRENCE, where her father sent her on horseback for a loaf of sugar. The first General Training was at her father�s house in 1803. The field where they trained extended from Main street to Sucker Brook and south to about the south line of the Academy lot. Some two or three hundred people were present including women and children.  They trained all day with a slender supply and quality of music, and some stayed and trained all night. One, Colonel FRENCH commanded.

Moses, an older brother of Robert CHISSOM, was a native of Columbia county, born in1764 and came to this county at the age of 30 years, a single man.  He owned 20 acres of land on lot 45, which was afterwards purchased by Joseph KETCHAM and became the nucleus of his large estate. He purchased of James SNOWFIELDS in 1801. 50 acres more, afterwards, embraced in the Samuel RANDALL farm on lot 62. In 1800, he married Mary, daughter of Philemon BALDWIN Sr., then living at the foot of Keuka Lake.  She was then 17 years and still survives with the living and enjoys remarkable health and vigor.  Her husband died in1840, at the age of 76 years.  About 1806 they moved to the premises now occupied and owned by their son, Philemon CHISSOM on the South Centre road, on lot 59. They had eleven children, eight of whom reached adult age: Robert, Israel, Philemon, Samuel, Rachel, John, Aloah B. and Lester B. Robert married first, Amanda WAGENER and they had two children, Hannah and James H. His second wife was Louisa MC CANN.  He died at Kinney�s Corners, leaving his widow and two children, of the second marriage, Mary and Henrietta.

Israel is a physician and resides in Italy.  His wife was Jane B. MC CALLUP of Hammondsport. They have a daughter, Mary E., who married Samuel HAYES of Italy, and emigrated west. Philemon is a bachelor, with whom his mother resides on the homestead, which is owned by him.  Samuel married Margaret WARD of Rochester.  They have two daughters, Mary E. and Sarah A. 

Rachel married Daniel B. TUTHILL, the present Superintendent of the Poor of Yates county.  They reside in Jerusalem and have two children, Mary J. and George M.

Alvah B. married Margaret HOFFMAN of Indiana, resides at Kinney�s Corners, and has three children, Israel B., Jennie C. and John M.

Lester B. married Mary J., daughter of Elipha PECKINS and resides in Benton. Their children are Philemon and Charles E.

 

CLEVELAND  pg 206 - 207

Dr. CLEVELAND was born September 21, 1792 in Schoharie county, NY an came to Penn Yan in 1814, where he taught the first select school and soon resumed the study of medicine under Dr. Joshua LEE. He had previously studied with another physician.  After receiving his diploma, he married Sabra, daughter of Ezra COLE, and began his practice at Eddytown, early in 1816.  They remained there two years and moved to Benton Centre, where he was a popular practitioner for a long period, and acquired a considerable estate in land.  He was acting Under Sheriff under Samuel LAWRENCE, who was Sheriff of Ontario County when Yates was set off, and subsequently served as Associate Judge of the Yates County Courts for 9 years, by appointment of Governors MARCY and BOUCK.  His wife died in 1855 at the age of 59 years, on the premises where she was born.  Four of their children reached adult age and were  married.  

Susan married Israel H. ARNOLD. Charles D married Louisa A., daughter of John PAYNE of Potter, and lives West.  They have five children: John W., Caroline, Charles, Catharine and Myron C.  

John W. was a successful school teacher and enlisted in the Army on the first call when the rebellion broke out.  He made an honorable record as a soldier, and died of disease contracted in the service, January 7, 1864.  [Civil War Vet]

Caroline M. CLEVELAND married Myron COLE.   Mary C. married Erasmus D. LEWIS.  They have one child, Sabra. 

Dr. CLEVELAND married a second wife, Caroline LEWIS of Geneva, and resides now in that village.  He has long been a firm adherent of the Methodist church.  He relates that among the pupils of his Penn Yan school, still living, are George and Charles C. SHEPPARD, Charles WAGENER and James Dwight MORGAN.  He has been a very firm Democratic politician all his life. 

 

COLE  Pg 203 - 306

Ezra COLE was born April 26, 1751 in Litchfield, Connecticut and married the sister of Jared PATCHEN, December 21,1774.  They and their children were of the little colony of settlers who came from Unandilla in 1792.  It is said that Ezra COLE, who was at that time an itinerant minister of the Methodist church, had gained some previous knowledge of the country and set on foot the expedition. They settled on lot 113, at the centre of No. 8, and he became the proprietor of four or 500 acres of land.  He built a respectable log house at first, a little west on the northwest corner, which he opened as a public house before 1800.  In 1804he built a frame house 30 by 40 feet, two stories high, with four large rooms below, and two above, besides a long ball room the whole length of the house, which was located a few rods west of the corners, on the north side of the road.  The building had a large wing and wood house.  Here Ezra COLE flourished as dispenser of refreshments for man and beast, till his death in 1821, at the age of 70 years.  He did not, however , abide with the church. 

Their children were: Matthew, Delilah, Lois, Nathan P., Daniel, Asa, Smith M., Sabra and Ezra.  On the last two were born after they settled in Benton (then Jerusalem).  Matthew married Martha GREGORY, a widow, in 1797; her maiden name was WHITEHEAD.  They settled on the homestead north of the Centre, where they died; she March 2, 1841, aged 74and he, May 6, 1841, aged 65 years.  They had two children, Martha and Polly.  Martha became the wife of the late Samuel G. GAGE, and Polly married Anthony H. LEWIS of Benton, sill residing on the old homestead, the parents of a large family. 

Their children are Lucy Jane, Louise, Martha, Erasmus D., George, Charles, Mary and Myron.  Lucy Jane married Norman, son of Ezra Cole Jr., and was his second wife.  He and his oldest son were killed by Indians on a buffalo hunt in Kansas, leaving her a widow with one child, a son.  

Louise married Mr. SMALLEY and has several children.  Martha married Daniel MILLSPAUGH, a merchant of Benton Centre. Erasmus D. married Charlotte, daughter of Dr. John L. CLEVELAND.  George married Martha MOTT of Montezuma.  They have three children: Elizabeth, Charles and Clarence.  

Charles is unmarried and Mary is dead. Myron married Jane BEDELL.  They have one child, Estella, and reside on the homestead.

Delilah COLE married Jonathan BATEMAN and settled at Lodi, Seneca county, where he died in 1806, leaving four children, Fletcher, Nancy, Amy and John.  She subsequently married William PETTIT of Benton and settled near Bellona.  They had three sons, Warren, Paris and Norman. 

Lois COLE married Lewis MORRIS in1800.  They moved to Indiana where he died and she afterwards removed to Nankin, Michigan, where she still lives at the age of 80 years.  Her children are David, Delilah, Polly, Robert, Sabra, James and Fanny.

Nathan P. COLE was a prominent and active citizen in his day, and married Sally, daughter of Elisha WOODWORTH, in1808.  They settled on part of the homestead next south of Matthew, where they lived and died; she in 1844 at the age of 61 years and he in 1852 at the age of 70 years.  Their children were Elisha W., Caroline, Pamela, Elizabeth W., John B., Polly and Platt.   Elisha W., married Louisa VAN TUYL of Waterloo and resides in Chicago.  Caroline is dead and Pamela is unmarried.  Elizabeth W., married Abraham W. SHEARMAN of Milo. John B. died single.  Polly married Josiah ELLIOTT and resides at Union City, Iowa.  They have three children.  Platt married Martha SCOTT and moved to Elmira, where he died in 1862, leaving his widow and one son, Ross.

Daniel COLE died single, at the age of 56 years in 1840.

Asa COLE was born May 25, 1788.  He married Sally SPRAGUE of Benton, December 31, 1810.  They settled on Head street in Penn Yan, where the Birdsall Machine Shop now stands, and where he was engaged in keeping a hotel and staging for many years.  He was identified with the activities of the village when Head street was Penn Yan, and stages were the chief means of traveling.  He maintained a high character as a businessman and finally moved on a farm a short distance north on the Benton Centre road, where his wife died in 1836, leaving one son, Myron.  Subsequently he married Lydia FRANCIS, a widow, whose maiden name was WILKINSON.  They had one son, Richard F.  

Mr. COLE died in 1860 at the age of 72 years. For several years he was President of the Yates County Bank.  As a prominent member of the Methodist church, he was noted for benevolence and sympathy with all religious and philanthropic movements.  His widow scurvies and resides with her son.  Myron married Susan, daughter of Morris F. SHEPPARD, who died without children.  His second wife is Caroline, daughter of Dr. John L. CLEVELAND.  They reside in Elmira and have two children, John A. and Sabra C.  Richard F. married Mary J. LAZEAR of Barrington and resides on the homestead.  

Smith M. COLE married Betsey SCOFIELD of Benton.  They settled in Penn Yan, and for many years kept a tavern where the present tavern is kept, and afterwards on Flat street, on the place now owned by Charles B. SHAW, and where he died in 1864, at the age of 74 years.  He was a unique and rather remarkable character.  For keeping a tavern he had a singular proneness, and yet no man detested the taste of liquor or the smell of tobacco more than he.  A low drunkard or smoker was his horror, and he always refused to sell liquor to an intoxicated person.  Yet he seemed to prefer to associate himself with the class most addicted to these evils, and their influence doubtlessly poisoned his life.  He was remarkable for his accurate and almost encyclopedic memory of all early events in this region.  His wife survives him.  They had three children, Matthew, Harriet and Calvin.  The daughter died young.  Matthew married Susan CRAWFORD of Penn Yan and has long resided in Iowa.  Calvin emigrated while young to Warsaw, Illinois, where he resides. 

Sarah COLE married Dr. John L. CLEVELAND.

Ezra COLE Jr., was born in 1799.  He married Betsey MAKER of Benton in 1818, and emigrated to Three Rivers, Michigan, where they reside.  They have five children: Herman H., Norman, ???., Susan and Lydia.

 

 

COLEMAN   pg 246 � 247

John COLEMAN was a native of Fishkill, NY and while he was a child, his father, also John COLEMAN, emigrated to Lycoming, Pennsylvania, where the son at the age of 25, married Christiana RINE.  He came to this region as an explorer in 1798, and bought 50 acres of what is now known as the old PURDY farm, on the second road west of Seneca Lake in Benton, where he built a house and sowed wheat preparatory to bringing his family. The following spring they came, the father driving his yoke of oxen and two cows.  From the head of Seneca Lake the wife and three young children were rowed down by Moses HALL. A  violent wind made a portion of the voyage terrifying if not perilous to the timid mother.  After one year they sold their first location, and purchased at what is now Bellona, where their son, Henry R. COLEMAN, now resides. The place then included seventy acres of land, entirely wild. There, John COLEMAN died in 1832, at the age of 62 years, and his wife in1859 at the age of 86 years.  Their children are: John, Margaret, Henry R., Elizabeth, Daniel, Sarah and Charles. 

John, born in 1796, married Julia, daughter of William AUSLEY of Seneca. They settled finally at Perry, Wyoming county, NY, and their children are Sarah, Caroline, Mary and George.

Margaret, born in 1797, married William TAYLOR of Benton.

Henry R. COLEMAN, born in 1800, married Caroline SQUIER of Seneca. They settled on the Coleman homestead, where she died the mother of six children: Mary C., Charlotte A., Carole E., Henry D., Charles S. and John W.  

Mr. COLEMAN�S second wife was Laura MILES, widow, of Millport, NY.  He greatly enlarged the original homestead and improved it. Some of it has been appropriated to village lots in Bellona, and otherwise, sold off.  He has been identified with nearly the whole history of Bellona, and has seen the country around redeemed from its native wilderness. In fruit culture, he has taken considerable interest, and is noted for his success in pear growing. 

Mary, Henry�s oldest daughter, married George VOORHEES of Romulus, Seneca county, where they reside.  Their children are Caroline A. and Laura J. ; Charlotte married John WILKIE of Seneca.  Their children are Henry D., William C, and Frederick S.  Caroline married Henry MC ALPINE of Benton, and resides on the James SMITH farm.  Their children are George, Charles and one other. Henry Dwight, a young man of much promise, emigrated to Centre Creek Mines, Missouri, where he died in 1868.  Charles S. resides with his father, unmarried.

Elizabeth, born in 1803, married William BAMBOROUGH of Lyons, NY and lives now in Michigan. Their children are Caroline, Flora, Thomas, Wesley and Daniel.

Daniel COLEMAN, born in 1806, married Esther AUSLEY of Seneca, and located early at Jackson, Michigan, where his wife died.  He married a second wife, Miss BLAKE of Livonia, NY in 1836, and was soon after killed by the running away of his horse.  He left a fine estate and no children.

Sarah, born in 1808, married James JOHNSON of Benton, emigrated to Indiana, and thence to Watervliet, Missouri, where he died leaving three children: Christiana, Coleman and Charles H.  She married a second husband, Mr. CROSSMAN.

Charles COLEMAN, born in 1801, married Mary A. SEELEY of Milo, and settled about one mile southwest of Bellona, on lot No. 3, where he now resides and where his wife died in 1869.  They had three children: George S., Edward and William H. Mr. COLEMAN was elected Justice of the Peace in 1849, and he was re-elected for his sixth term in the spring of 1869, thus affording the best proof of the high regard in which he is held by his fellow citizens. His son, George, became a printer and under a strong sense of patriotic duty, enlisted in the 161st NY Volunteers, accompanied the expedition of Gen. BANKS, in 1864, was wounded at the battle of Sabine Cross Roads and finally died in hospital at New Orleans, at the age of 21 years. He has a fine monument erected over his grave. Edward married Alice, adopted daughter of Charles COE of Benton, where they reside.  They have one child, Mary. 

 

 

COLLIN   pg 317 � 318

Henry COLLIN, born in Dutchess Co., in 1792, married Mary MC ALPINE at Hillsdale, in1814.  She was born in Dutchess Co., in 1793.  They came to Benton, April 26, 1814 and settled on a farm then new, in the pine woods of West Benton. They subsequently moved to the premises originally settled by Samuel BUELL Sr., in 1792, on lot 78, where they remained through life. Mrs. COLLIN died in 1832, and her husband in 1835. Their children were: Harriet A., Henry C. and Emeline.

Harriet A., born in 1816, married Alfred G. BIDWELL of Hillsdale, Columbia Co, NY and resides in Hudson City, New Jersey.  They have several children. 

Henry C. COLLIN, born in 1818, married Maria L. PARK of Burlington, Otsego, Co., NY. They reside on the family homestead, which they own, together with the premises first settled by the father of Mr. COLLIN. By successful industry, they have added largely to their estate in land, having now 880 acres in Benton.  Mr. COLLIN was born on his present homestead and has always resided there.  His remarkable thrift and pecuniary success is due to unremitting toil and sagacious attention to business, which has borne its usual result of independence and abundance.  They have eight children and some of their sons have graduated at Yale College, and entered upon successful professional pursuits. Mr. COLLIN is a progressive farmer, and a highly useful and respected citizen, and was the supervisor of Benton in 1869-70.

Emeline born in 1822, married Dr. William W. WELCH of Norfolk, Connecticut and died there in 1850, leaving two children.  He still resides there.

 

CROZIER   pg 339 � 342

On the 14th of July, 1801, at the end of a voyage of seven weeks from Glasgow, the families of Thomas ROBINSON, Thomas ROBINSON Jr., John RENWICK, George GRAY, Robert STRAUGHANHAM, Mr. COWIN and Adam CROZIER Sr., landed in New York, all but the COWIN family on their way to what has since been known as the English Settlement in the town of Seneca, where they had been preceded two or three years, by Edward STOKOE, Mathew and John ROBINSON, Edward BURRELL and George RENWICK.  From New York they continued their water passage to Albany and after a land carriage to Schenectady, took a boat, which conveyed them in three weeks more, to Geneva. The boat was tediously propelled by poling, except in passing from Wood�s Creek to Oneida Lake, and across the lake.  Down the small stream passing into the lake, they floated by means of dams, which were drawn off as each was reached, to make a sufficient volume of water to carry the boat.  A sail was used to cross the lake, but a storm carried it away and greatly imperiled their lives. But they effected their passage, passed into the Oswego river, thence into the Seneca and followed it to Geneva. At Seneca Falls they had to unload their boat and reload above the rapids.

 

 

Adam CROZIER Sr., was a Scotch shepherd, born in 1751.  He married Isabella RENWICK in 1780.  She was of Scotch and English descent and was born in 1759. After their marriage, they lived in one of the northern counties of England, where six of their children were born. Upon arriving in Seneca, they lived in a house with another family, until a house was provide on what is now the VARTIE farm near Hall�s Corners. Before winter, however, they took up their residence on the farm where George CROZIER, their son, now lives, in Seneca, and where no improvement had then been made.  Their domicile was a log structure with a hole cut in one side for a door, and another for a window, which was un-provided with glass.  The fireplace had no back but the logs.  The fire was built on the ground, and a stick chimney conducted the some from the upper floor upwards.  In such a tenement as this... they passed the winter.  In the spring, the logs back of the fire were nearly burnt through. How the escaped burning up may well be regarded as a puzzle. In the same house they lived several years, and until the front part of the house now standing on the premises was built.

In1817, Adam CROZIER Sr., purchased of Samuel COLT and Ezra COLE, for $1,774, the farm on lot 51, in Benton, where Adam CROZIER Jr., now lives. After the purchase, John RENWICK and family lived on it, and also George CROZIER and wife.  Adam CROZIER moved on it in the spring of 1821, and has since resided there. Adam CROZIER Sr., died in 1829, in his 78th year. His wife survived him till 1853, reaching the remarkable age of 94 years. At the time of her death, her children were all living, the eldest 72years, and the youngest 50 years old.  Their children were: Robert, George, Margaret, Elizabeth, Adam, Isabella, John and Eleanor, twins, born in America in 1803.

Robert, the eldest, born in 1781, married Eleanor STOKOE and moved in 1818 to Southern Indiana, about forty miles below the falls of the Ohio river, accompanied by the family of his father in law, Edward STOKOE.  He still lives there, surrounded by numerous descendants to the third generation.  Two or three years after he moved west, he came all the way back on foot to visit his parents. 

George CROZIER, born in 1783, married Abagail CRAWFORD, of Saratoga Springs, in 1820,and resides on the old family homestead in Seneca.  They have had eight children: Jefferson, Adam, Elizabeth, Henderson, T. Wilson, George W., and Isabella and Mary Jane. Jefferson, born in 1821, married Helen BLODGETT of Gorham in 1849. They have three sons and two daughters. 

Elizabeth, born in 1825, married James J. MC MASTER of Benton, in 1851, and died in 1869. 

Henderson, born in 1827, married Sarah Ann CLARK of Seneca.  They have three sons and a daughter.   (he is buried in Little Church Cemetery in Seneca, NY)  

T. Wilson, born in 1830, married Matilda FIERO and has one son. George W., born in 1835, died in 1865, from infirmities contracted in the war.  He was orderly sergeant in Co .L. of Merrill�s Horse, a regiment of dragoons with the army at Little Rock, Arkansas.  Isabella, born in 1837, married Edward S. DIXON of Hall�s Corners, in 1860, and they have three sons. Mary Jane, born in 1840, married Myron C. SOUTHERLAND of Seneca. They have one son, Frank.

Margaret, the eldest daughter of Adam CROZIER Sr., born in 1787, married John CHARLTON. Their children were: Thomas, Elizabeth, Adam, Isabella, John, Margaret, William, Anna and George. 

Thomas married Catharine NIXON.  They had an infant son and the three died within a day or two of each other and all were buried together.

Elizabeth married Samuel COOK.  They have six children and reside in Michigan.  Adam married Anna WESTFALL.  They reside at Battle Creek, Michigan.  Isabella married Ezra WILBUR.  They reside in Gorham and have one son.  Margaret married Alvin MEAD.  They have three daughters and live in Michigan.  William married Sarah HUTCHINSON in 1869, and lives on the homestead in Seneca. George married Susan YOUNGS.  They have two children, and reside in Gorham.  The others died young.

Elizabeth CROZIER born in 1793 married Thomas WILSON, of Seneca. Their children are: Sarah, Adam, John, Mary Jane and Isabella.  Sarah married John WHEELER, and has four children. Adam married Elizabeth COOL and has three children. John married Catharine BURRELL, and has three children. Mary Jane married Edward N. HALL and has four children.  Isabella died in 1845, at the age of 17 years. 

Adam CROZIER, born in 1797, married in 1821, Amy, daughter of Joseph SOUTHERLAND and granddaughter of that noted pioneer, David SOUTHERLAND of Potter. They have had four children, Elizabeth, John W., David S. and George E. Elizabeth and John W. died in infancy. 

David S., born in 1826, married Dolly WHITNEY of Seneca Castle in 1844. He resides on the homestead and is a prominent citizen. 

George E., born in 1833, married Fannie H. BECKER of Benton, in 1855.  They have one son, Frank, born in 1857.  He also resides on the homestead.  The farm on which Adam CROZIER Jr. and his sons live, was willed to him and his brother, John, in 1829, by their father. Adam bought his brother�s interest for $1,100. When first purchased, 17 acres were partially cleared on the farm. George, John and Adam cleared the first fallow of 17 acres and the rest was mostly done by Adam, who also helped to clear a considerable portion of the original family homestead.

Isabella CROZIER, born in 1800, married Walter RENWICK. They have two sons, Robert, unmarried and John who married Harriet SEELEY of Allegany county.  They have two daughters, and all lived in Gorham.

Eleanor CROZIER resides in Seneca, unmarried.  John CROZIER died in Seneca, unmarried in 1867.

 

DAVIS   pg 322 � 324 

Thomas and Noah DAVIS were sons of Thomas and Eleanor DAVIS, who were born and married in Wales, and came to America in 1800.  They settled at Newport, Herkimer county, NY, with their family of three sons and two daughters.  Two of the sons, Thomas and Noah, married wives who were half sisters and came to Benton; Noah in 1813 and Thomas in 1814.  Thomas, born in 1778, married in 1806, Irene PERRY, a widow, born in 1774 whose maiden name was WATKINS, and who was also a native of Wales. They settled on the farm now owned by their son, Stephen N. DAVIS, one mile west of Penn Yan, on lot 87, where they were the original settlers. Their children were: Hannah, James T. Stephen N., Mary J., Watkins and Eleanor. 

Hannah, born 1808, married George W. HOPKINS.  They reside on the farm lately owned by Gideon WOLCOTT, in Jerusalem and their children are Janette, Mariette and Ezra B.  Janette married John JANKINSON of Potter. They have one child, Mettabell.  Mrs. HANKINSON resides with her parents.  Mariette married Daniel M. HULSE and resides in Canandaigua. They have two children, Ferdinand and Metta Isabella.  Ezra B. is unmarried.

James T. DAVIS, born in 1811, married Nancy MILLSPAUGH of Milo and settled adjoining the homestead, where his wife died in 1860, leaving two children, Mary J. and Sarah A.   Mary J. is the wife of William BLANSHARD, a native of England.  They reside in Jerusalem, on the farm formerly owned by Dr. George W. MALIN. He is noted for rearing choice thoroughbred stock. They have one child, Eda J. 

Sarah A. is the wife of George W. HOBART, son of Walter P. HOBART of Potter. They reside in Penn Yan.

Stephen N. DAVIS, born in 1814, married Hannah R., daughter of Peleg BRIGGS of Benton. She died and he subsequently married Sarah S. COONS of Jerusalem. They have two sons by the second marriage, Thomas N. and William J.   Stephen N. DAVIS owns and resides on the paternal homestead.

Mary J., born in 1816, married Seth B. BRIGGS, son of Robert BRIGGS of Benton, and died in 1866.

Watkins DAVIS, born in 1819, married Emeline, daughter of Joshua BEARD of Milo. They own and reside on the Anna WAGNER homestead in Jerusalem. He is an enterprising farmer, and a noted breeder of short horn cattle. They have three children, Ida J., James and John.

Eleanor, born in 1824, married William J. RECTOR of Benton.

Noah DAVIS, brother of Thomas, born in Wales, September 4, 1792, married at Newport, Hannah EDWARDS, also born in Wales in 1793. They settled in Benton, and afterwards moved to Jerusalem, where he was keeper of the county poor for several years. Subsequently they removed to Pultney, where they both died, he in 1835and she in 1856. Their children were: Edward, Sarah, Mary and Harriet.  Edward, born in 1815, married Philinda TOWNSEND of Benton and resides at Parma, Monroe Co., NY.  Their children are, William John, Albert, Sarah, Rosetta and Susan.

Sarah, born in 1816, is the wife of Jephthah A. POTTER.

Mary, born in 1819, married John C. MILLER of Milo and they reside in Branchport.

Hannah, born in 1824, married Ephraim MILLER, of Milo. His wife and two children reside with Japhthah A. POTTER, at Penn Yan. The children are Sarah and Mary.

 

 

DEAN   pg 302 � 305

Another contributor of Dutchess Co., to Benton, was Benjamin DEAN, who married Zilpha HARRINGTON, of that county, and came from Shepherd�s Creek, PA., in 1798, a widower, locating at first near Norris� Landing.  Of his family by the first marriage, there were: Eliakim, Zebulon and William and their daughters Abigail, Hannah and Lucy who had preceded the father to the Genesee country. He married a second wife, widow Martha BLAKE, at Norris� Landing, and in 1804 purchased the farm now owed and occupied by George B. STANTON, on lot74, where he died in 1815 at the age of 64 years, leaving by the second marriage, one daughter, Polly. The mother died in 1821. Polly DEAN married Benjamin STANTON, of Gorham. They live on the DEAN homestead and had three children, Martha E., George B. and Mary J.  Martha E. married Norman HOLMES of Benton, who died leaving one daughter, Harriet E.  She married a second husband, Charles LLOYD of English birth.  They have one child, Mary E. and reside on the homestead.

George B. STANTON married Emeline C. LAMPORT.  They have two children, Richard B. and May C.  May J. married Edwin LAMPORT.

Zebulon DEAN married Sarah, sister of Russell and Elijah BROWN. They settled in East Benton, near Seneca Lake, where their son, Daniel DEAN now lives, about two miles north of Hopeton. Their children were: Benjamin, Daniel, John, Alexander and Ira. He married a second wife, Nancy SCRITCHEL and they have seven children: Jarvis, George, Julia, Hannah, Eliza, Zilpha and Sarah.  

Zebulon DEAN was a man of note in his day. In 1807, he and his neighbor John MUGG, by mutual concert became religious men, and were soon actively engaged as preachers of the Free Will Baptist Faith.  They found their reward for their religious labors in the work itself, and the hopes that reached beyond the present life.  They wrought wiling with their hands for the daily bread of their families, and went long distances to preach on Sunday, without accepting a farthing for their spiritual service.  Their names are blended with the organization of numerous churches of that faith in this and surrounding counties.  They traveled in this work as far as Sodus, and at that day their disciples were neither few nor lacking in zeal; but for some reason, few of these churches are left in the land.  For 25 or 39 years, John MUGG lived in Jerusalem, a little west of Penn Yan. It is said he still lives in Upper Sandusky, Ohio, at the age of nearly one hundred.  His spiritual brother, Zebulon DEAN, died at the age of 54 year, in 1832.  Of his children, Benjamin married Eliza RANDOLPH of Milo.  She died leaving four children: Sarah M., Elizabeth, Jephtha F. , and Mary Jane. He married a second wife, Fanny MARRINER, of Benton and moved to Jerusalem, where he died in 1869, at the age of 70 years. The children of the second marriage were Amanda, William M., Albert and Persis A.  Persis A., married William GRISWOLD of Jerusalem and they have one child.

Daniel DEAN resides on the paternal homestead.  He married Diana LAMB of Benton, and moved to Wayne county, where she died and here-married; afterwards he returned to Yates county. The children of the first marriage were: Hannah F. and Harvey C.; of the second, Diana E., Avery C., Jennie S., and Deborah. The land where Daniel DEAN resides, was bought by Zebulon DEAN, of Charles WILLIAMSON, in 1798.  Of Daniel DEAN�S children: Hannah married Adin GANETT of Chaggrin Falls, Ohio. Harvey C. married Eveline, sister of Charles V. BUSH of Penn Yan. They reside at Benton Centre, and their children are Florence M. and Decora D.   Diana is unmarried. Avery C. married Mary E., daughter of Levi SPEELMAN, of Torrey; Jennie S. married Edwin L. SWARTHOUT, of Torrey, where the reside; and Deborah A., married Charles M. SPEELMAN of Torrey. 

John married Maria TITUS and resides in Torrey. Their children are: James, Harriet E., Lewis and David.

Alexander married Lois GRISWOLD, and resides in Jerusalem.  Their children are: Julius Z., Ezra, Sarah A., Abraham V., Diantha and Elizabeth.  Ira married and emigrated to Louisiana.  Jarvis married Almira DEAN of Newfield, where they reside. George married Maria HOUGTAILING, and emigrated to California.

Julia married James P. WINANTS of Benton.  They reside in Potter, and their children are David, Augustus, Orville, Julia A., Adelia, Adora and Kate.  David married Hannah CHURCH of Benton, and resides in Steuben county. Augustus was a solider in a western regiment, was taken prisoner at Pittsburg Landing, and died in a rebel prison at Macon, Georgia. Orville married Mary BERGSTRESSER of Potter, where they reside. Julia married Sheldon SLAUGTHER of Potter and they reside in that town.

Hannah married Russell THURBER of Owego, NY.  They reside in Elmira, and have two children, Nancy and Helen. 

Eliza married Orville ALLERTON, a merchant of Newark, NY.  They have one child, Harry.

Zilpha married Eliakim BAILEY of Newfield, NY, where she died, leaving two children, Nancy & Helen.

Sarah married George CASTERLINE, and emigrated to Warsaw, Wis., where they reside, and have one child, Margaret.

Eliakim DEAN, the eldest brother of Zebulon, was the father of Jefferson DEAN of Newfield, Tompkins Co., whose daughter, Kate DEAN is a cultivated and noted concert singer. 

William DEAN, the remaining brother of Zebulon, was a millwright. He went west and remained there several years. Hearing that his brother Zebulon was near death, he came back to see him, but arrived too late.  Fatigue and depression of mind produced illness, which soon resulted in his burial, by the side of his brother. 

 

DEAN   pg 305 � 306

The first settler on Flat Street, where Augustus STEWART resides, was Perley DEAN, a native of Ashford, Connecticut, who was a good farmer and an excellent and much esteemed citizen.  His wife was Abigail BAXTER, a daughter of Col. BAXTER of  Revolutionary fame. They were married in 1788, and shortly made a home at or near Newtown, which they left on account of unhealthiness, and in 1793 located permanently on lot 39, buying the land of Levi BENTON.  He died in 1811 and his wife in 1813, after the most discouraging impediments of pioneer life had been overcome.  Their children were: Arminda, Perley, Leonard, Anna, Betsey and Danford. 

Arminda married Israel BROWN from Norwich, Vermont. They died in Penn Yan, leaving five children: Amanda, Elia, Oliver, Mary and Abner.  Amanda married Cyrus RUSSEL, and Eliza married William KEELER, and both went west.  Oliver also married and emigrated to Illinois.  Mary married a Mr. BARBER, who died at Troy, NY and his widow and children emigrated to Marshall, Michigan.  Abner was blind, but was educated and intelligent and lived to the age of 32 years, dying at Marshall, Michigan.

Perley DEAN Jr., married Phebe, a sister of Israel BROWN.  They emigrated to Tekonsha, Michigan.  They have five children, Eliza, Nelson, Leonard, Chester and Jane, all of whom are married, and settled in good circumstances, about their parents.

Leonard was a solider through the War of 1812, after which he died at the west, single. Anna married Mr. TUBBS, nephew of Enos TUBBS. They reside at Cleveland, Ohio.

Betsey married Frederick H. ROHDE, a native of Germany and a shoemaker. They lived on grounds now occupied by the Penn Yan Academy. He was a good citizen, and died suddenly at Geneva, while there on business, at the age of 52 years.  His widow resides in Penn Yan.  Their children were: Caroline, Lewis S, Henrietta, Adelia, Frederick, Maxwell and John.  Caroline married Hugh JOINT, and resides at Oil City, PA.  Henrietta died single.  Lewis S. married Helen MC LEAN of Penn Yan, and she died leaving one child, Carrie.  He married a second wife, Caroline, daughter of Daniel HEDGES of Milo.  They have two surviving children, Frank and Spencer.  He is a boot and shoe merchant and manufacturer, of the firm Corey & Rohde, of Penn Yan, and an exemplary citizen.  Adelia married Peter SHAW of New York, and resides in Brooklyn.  They have four children, Christopher, William, Carrie and Hetty.  Frederick is single and resides in Australia.  Maxwell married Lucy GREEN and is a shoe dealer and manufacturer at Dundee. They have two children, Lucy and Mary. John is a machinist at Owego and married Amelia ROBERTSON of Binghamton. Danford DEAN was a farmer, and died unmarried, in Benton in 1868, about 54 years of age.

 

EARL   Pg. 179 -181 

Jephthah EARL Sr., was from Wilkesbarre, Pa, where he married in 1789, Bridget ARTHUR, he being 21 and she 15 years old.   They settled soon after on two hundred acres bought of Charles WILLIAMSON, about two miles southwest from Geneva, in the town of Seneca. At that time Geneva consisted of a few log habitations, and the young pioneer followed an Indian trail to his location in the unbroken wilderness. He paid four dollars per acres for his land, and it was a struggle of long years to accomplish it, as shown by his deed given in 1810 by Robert TROUP, a successor of Mr. WILLIAMSON in the control of the Pultney state.  He worked for Samuel LATTA sometimes for four dollars a month, to raise money to make payments. LATTA was deemed a man of great wealth, as he was able to hire and was estimated as worth three or four thousand dollars. Their family numbered thirteen children, of whom ten reached adult age, viz: Jesse, Clarry, Zeruah, Susan, Fanny and Stephen, twins, Jephthah, Arthur, Matilda and Laura.  Of these, only Jesse, Jephthah and Arthur became residents of Yates County. 

In 1821, Jephthah EARL Sr., purchased the mill property and sixty acres of land at Bellona, which he put in charge of his son Jesse, who had married Janet HOOPER of Seneca. They afterwards purchased a farm east of the mill property, known as the Lynn lot, where they removed and remained till 1836, when Jesse disposed of his interest to his brother, Jephthah and removed to Michigan, where he and his wife died, leaving four children, survivors of a family of twelve, Susan J., Amelia, John and George. 

Jephthah EARL, the present resident at Kashong, was born in 1806.  When about seventeen, he came to Bellona and worked on the mill property with is brother Jesse, of which they became joint owners by gift of their father. In 1827 he became sole owner by purchase of his brother. In 1829 he married Eliza HUTCHINSON of Bellona, who was born at Chittenango in 1804. They remained at Bellona till 1830, when he sold the property there and purchased the farm on which he now resides at Kashong. His original purchase was 210 acres, to which he has added the farm originally owned by his brother Jesse, of 125 acres.  These premises were then but little improved, sixty acres only being cleared, and there was only a log house and frame barn. This barn was one of the oldest if not the first built in the town. He erected a distillery on an extended scale and ran it for several years, and also built a storehouse at he Kashong landing and established a grain market, which has proved a great benefit to that region. His brother, Arthur, was for several years associated with him in the distillery and purchase of grain.  They have frequently purchased 75,000 bushels of grain in one season, which has been hipped at Kashong, and the EARLS have ever been regarded as dealers of probity and responsibility. 

The farm is now in a high state of cultivation, well stocked with cattle and sheep of superior quality, which are fed for the winter market, thus consuming the products of the land. The mansion is a fine structure of cobblestone of generous dimensions without extravagance.  The barns and outbuildings are ample, and well provided with all the needed conveniences for stock feeding and protection.  They have had seven children, of whom there survive, George W., Edwin L., and Katy A., all unmarried and residing at the homestead. 

Arthur, the youngest son of the family, born in1810, married Sybil CONKLIN of Canandaigua. She was born in New Jersey in 1825 and died in 1860. His farm was a part of the Barton tract. They had seven children, of whom are now living, Frances A., Jesse, Albert and Dewitt C.   The daughter married W. Sterling GUNN, a hardware merchant at Grand Rapids, Michigan. They have two children, Charles and William. 

Arthur EARL has also a highly improved farm productive of both grain and grass, and devoted largely to the production of the best grade of fat stock, principally sheep. 

The Kashong place or old Barton farm, is chiefly contained in lots 41 and 44 of Ryckman�s location, but never belonged to Reed or Ryckman, as Barton�s purchase of De Bartzch, was confirmed to him by the State. The word 'Kashong' is said to be of Indian derivation, signifying absence of frost, or a spot where frost is rare.

     

HTML by Dianne Thomas

These electronic pages may be printed as a link or for personal use, but is NOT to be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by ANY other organization or persons.


Copyright 2004 - 2016

 2014 Contact  Webmaster Dianne Thomas  

 [NY History and Genealogy]