| Sources |
- [S1812] paintedhills.org, Glassmire.
OLD POTTER CO. MARRIAGES, BIRTHS, & MISC. Glassmire
20180320 Chesterfield-
http://www.paintedhills.org/POTTER/OLDPOTTERCO.MARRIAGES,BIRTHS,&MISC.html
OLD POTTER CO. MARRIAGES, BIRTHS, & MISC.
Contributed & Transcribed by PHGS Member: Sheri D. Graves
NOTE: Files copied from a book at the Potter County Historical Society with their permission.
MARRIAGES
Married at residence of bride’s father, Jan. 20th, by Rev. L.A. Stevens, Arthur B. Mann and Marbrie Hopkins, both of Coudersport. 1866.
Married on Jan. 18th at residence of bride’s father, Manchester Farms, Tioga Co., by Rev. W. Statham, N.M. Glassmire, of Coudersport and Georgia Leib. 1866.
Married Jan. 14th, at residence of the bride, by R.L. Nichols, Esq., Mr. Jas. Rowley and Mrs. Sarah Andrus, both of Oswayo. 1866.
Married in Belfast, NY, Jan. 15th, 1866 by Rev. E.A. Frances, Mr. J. Weston Bird and Miss Elizabeth M. Parker, Preceptress of Genesee Valley Seminary.
Married, at residence of bride’s father, Wed. eve., 18th, inst. By Hon. H.W. Williams, of Wellsboro, Capt. J.C. Johnson, of Emporium, Cameron Co., and Miss Fannie A., only daughter of Dr. Amos French.
Married at residence of bride’s father, in Eulalia, July 7th, 1867, by L.A. Stevens, Amos D. Colcord, of Bath, NY and Miss Sarah Taggert.
Married at residence of bride’s uncle, J.S. Mann, on Thursday morning, Oct. 10th, 1867, by Rev. R. Hinman, Pierre A. Stebbins Jr., and Miss Mary E., only daughter of Hon. Joseph Mann.
Married at the house of Walter Wells, Esq., in Oswayo, PA, on Tuesday, June 4, 1872, by Rev. E. B. Williams, Mr. William K. Jones of Coudersport, PA and Miss Mary S. Lyman of Oswayo.
Married on May 4, 1875, at residence of Thomas Morrison, by J.J.S. Lee, Esq., Thomas Coulston to Martha Daniels, both of Genesee Forks, PA.
Married on Wed. eve., May 5, 1875, at Clark’s corners, at residence of bride’s father, by Rev. Joel Clark, Mr. J.W. Snyder, of Emporium and Miss Ella H. Clark, daughter of Nelson Clark.
Married in Eulalia, May 23 1875, by Rev. H.F. Voss, Christian Mehring and Miss Laura Seiforth, also of Eulalia.
Married at residence of bride’s aunt, in Coudersport, May 27, 1875, by Rev. J.L. Landis, assisted by Rev. O.M. Leggett, Chas. Neefe, of Sweden and Miss Mamie W. Niles of Coudersport.
Married near Raymond, PA, May 30, 1875, by Rev. J.L. Swayne, Jas. Currier and Kate Bishop.
Married in Coudersport Oct. 28, 1875, by Rev. B.L. Garrett, W.H. Nelson, youngest son of James O. Nelson, of Summit and Miss E.M. Rounsville, youngest daughter of Abiathar Rounsville.
At residence of Mr. A.T. Raymond in Ulysses, Nov. 2, 1875, by same. Mr. Oscar A. Nelson and Miss Ellen M. Raymond.
At residence of Wm. Dingman, in Coudersport, by same, Mr. Chas. J. Toles and Miss Mary O. Dingman.
On Thurs. Oct. 3rd, 1876, by Rev. R. Hinman, Mr. E.J. Shorb, of Warsaw, Ind., and Miss Helen M., daughter of Nathan Wood, of Lymansville.
Miss Jennie Sherwood, of Coudersport married, W.T. Wasson, of Lemont, Centre Co., at Port Allegany, by Rev. H.F. Cares, at Port Allegany House, Sept. 18, 1876.
Married at residence of bride’s mother in Coudersport, Dec. 7, 1876, by Rev. S.C. McElroy, Henry Eaton and Miss Mary A. Kent, both of Couderpsort.
Married in Brookland at residence of bride’s brother, Tue. Dec. 12, 1876, by Rev. A. Hull, D.D., of Montpeelier, Thos. G. Hull and Anna M.A. daughter of late Henry Hatch Dent.
Married in Sylvania, Bradford Co., PA, Jan. 24, 1877, by Rev. I.R. Spencer, of Blossburg, PA, W.C. Rennells, of Coudersport and Ella E. Strait, of Sylvania.
Married Jan. 30, 1877, at residence of bride’s parents, by Rev. Swayne, Rock A. Andrews and Lena Neefe.
Married at residence of bride’s parents, by J.L. Allen, Esq., James S. Barnes of Millport and Mrs. Eva A. Hall, of Clara.
Married at residence of bride’s father, in Eulalia Twp., by Hon. C.S. Jones, Daniel Parks, of Barton, Tioga Co., to Miss Eunice M., only daughter of Almeron Nelson, Esq.
Married in Homer, by T.T. Claflin, Esq., Edward T. Furnace, of Eulalia and Mrs. Mary E. Carmer, of Homer.
Married in Hector, Feb. 22, 1877, at bride’s parents, by Rev. C. Slack, V.E. Freeman, of Ulysses and Miss C. Lehman, of Hector.
Married at residence of Wm. L. Lockwood, in Oswayo, Feb. 25, 1877 by A. Sidney, Lyman, Esq., Wm. H. Hall, of Genesee, NY and Miss Josie Oles, of Oswayo, PA.
Married Apr. 25, 1877, at residence of Mr. Riley Preston, the bride’s father, by Rev. Lewis Lawton, Mr. B.F. Greenman of Hebron, Potter Co., PA, and Miss Emily A. Preston, of Lincklaen, Chenango Co., NY.
Married at residence of Mr. W. Bailey, in Cameron Co., May 6, 1877, by Rev. J.B. Moore, Willard Peet and Melissa Nelson, daughter of Henry Nelson, of Wharton Twp.
Married at residence of bride’s father, May 9, 1877, by Rev. Wood, Hon. Conrad Hollenbeck and Miss Nettie Knox, daughter of F.W. Knox, all of Coudersport.
"Hon. Conrad Hollenbeck took unto himself a wife yesterday morning and immediately the young couple started for the far west to seek their fortune. He married Nettie Knox, only dau. of F.W. Knox, Esq., of this place. Mr. studied law in office of Isaac Benson. Has served two sessions in the state legislature."
Hon. Conrad Hollenbeck writes that he has decided to settle in the town of Fremont, county seat of Dodge Co., Nebraska, 40 miles from state capital.
Married at residence of bride’s parents in Allegany Township, by Rev. J.L. Swain, Mr. Fred Andrews and Miss Ida Raymond, youngest daughter of David L. Raymond, all of Allegany.
Married at North Prebyterian Church in Buffalo, June 20, 1877, by Rev. Wolcott Calkins, F.W. Knox, Esq., of Coudersport and Miss Libbie Dickinson, of Titusville, PA.
Married in Coudersport, PA, June 28, 1877 at the residence of Walter Wells, by Rev. E. Wood, Mr. W.A. Crosby and Miss Eugenia Willard, all of Coudersport.
Married at residence of C.L. Corsaw, in Sweden, July 4, 1877, by E. Wood, Farhnam Lyon and Miss Mary Kelly, all of Sweden.
Married, John Abson and Miss Adelaide L. Griesel, both of Eulalia twp. The 10th inst. 1877, by Rev. F.G. Stephens.
Married at M.E. parsonage in Coudersport, Dec. 30, by Rev. E. Millward, Carlton H. Holcomb, of Annin, McKean Co. and Miss Sarah J. Abson, of Sweden, Potter Co.
Married at residence of bride’s parents in Coudersport Jan. 3, by Rev. E. Millward, Frederick Schadenberger and Miss Annie Reissman, of Coudersport.
Married at residence of bride’s parents in Eulalia, Jan. 1, 1878, by Rev. J.S. Johnson, Gustave H. Grabe and Miss Amelia C. Breunle, both of Eulalia.
Married at residence of bride’s parents, Mar. 30, 1878, by Rev. E. Wood, Mervill Calkins and Miss Alice E. Adams, both of Coudersport.
Married at Sinnemahoning, July 22, 1878, by Isaac Ramage, Esq., R.B. Preston of Rockdale, PA and Miss Josephine Denhoff, of Coudersport.
Married at Mansfield August 6, 1879 by Rev. J. B. Wentworth, D. D., the brides’ father, assisted by Rev. James E. Bills, of Medina, NY, Fred Martin Allen, and Miss Clara Halloway Wentworth, both of Mansfield. Groom is son of Fordyce A. Allen.
Married at residence of bride’s parents, by Rev. J. McBride Sterrett, Oct. 21, 1879, Thomas Wrench and Flora Peet.
Married at M.E. parsonage, by Rev. T.R. Stratton, June 1, 1880, G.W. Berfield, of Homer and Mrs. Irene Wood, of Coudersport.
Married at bride’s parents in Coudersport, Oct. 22, 1880, by Rev. Wm. Marshall, Miss Emma Goodsell and Jas. Ezra Chandler, of Port Allegany.
Married at residence of F.W. Knox, on Dec. 24th, by Rev. T.R. Stratton, Lyman H. Cobb and Miss Edith Dickinson, all of Coudersport. Attendants were Frank Jones and Miss Flora Gordnier.
Married at the bride’s residence in Coudersport, October 4, 1882, by Rev. H. B. Leavenworth, Mr..W. W. Thompson to Miss Eva Dike, both of Coudersport. Mr. Thompson is the editor of the Enterprise.
Married at house of W. B. Gordnier in Coudersport, September 29, 1882 by Rev. C. Dillenbeck, Harry A. Scoville, of Rixford, PA and Milla Armstrong.
Married Monday, January 1, 1883 at residence of bride’s parents in Homer, Potter County, PA, by Rev. S. W. Holland, Mr. John Quimby and Miss Lydia Crosby.
Married at residence of bride’s parents in Couderpsort, February 3, 1883, by Rev. A. A. Craw, Mr. Samuel A. Phillips and Miss Carrie M. Larrabee, both of Coudersport.
BIRTHS
Born in Coudersport, Mar. 21, 1878 to Mr. & Mrs. T.B. Brown, a son.
Born in Coudersport, Mar. 29, 1878 to Mr. & Mrs. W.A. Crosby, a daughter
Born in Coudersport Aug. 12, 1878, to wife of H.C. Olmsted, a daughter.
Born in Coudersport, Aug. 18, 1878, to Mr. & Mrs. W.K. Jones,a son.
Born Aug. 25, 1878 to Mr. & Mrs. C.C. Breunle, a daughter. (Flora or Bertha)
Sunday, Sept. 1, 1878, in Coudersport to Mr. & Mrs. T.J. Gilbert, a daughter.
Born to Mary, Wife of Farnham Lyon, May 16, 1880 a son, weight nine lbs.
Born in Coudersport Feb. 25, to Mr. & Mrs. L.H. Cobb, twins, boy and girl.
MISCELLANEOUS
A writer in the Renova Record writes: Recently visited Potter County, spent a day with my old friend Samuel Losey, which was his 105th birthday. He has been blind for 12 years. Health good. Memory remarkable. Lives with his youngest son, James, at Pike Mills, Potter Co. He said, "Twas born in Morristown, NJ. Came to Danville, PA at age of 22. Lived there two years, then went to Newtown, now Elmira, remained 8 yrs. Then bought a farm at Tioga on the Cowanesque and in 1809 married Betsey Ives, sister of Judge Timothy Ives and moved to my farm. My wife bore two children, a son and a daughter and died at Tioga 4 years after our marriage. Sold farm and moved to Wellsboro, assisted in building the first court house in Tioga Co. Was drawn on the first jury in that county. In 1814 I married Oline Phoenix who is now the mother of 11 children and will be 78 this March. Moved from Wellsboro to Potter Co., bought 2000 acres lying on both sides of Pine Creek, from the county line 5 miles up the creek. Remembers having seen George Washington several times.
While Fordyce A. Allen lay at point of death, on Tues., Feb. 10, 1880, his brother, Chas. H. Allen suffered a loss by fire of magnificent normal school bldg. In San Jose, Calif. Had been its principal for a number of years with 588 students. Loss $18,000. He and wife lived in Coudersport about 1854.
William Henry Lewis who settled near Grand Island, Neb., a year and a half ago, lost his youngest daughter on the 22nd ult and his wife on the 29th ult. Bot died of spinal disease and a young son was ill of same malady when the above was reported.
Sixty years ago to day my father came to this place with his family and settled on the same farm that I live on. My parents had five sons and one daughter. My parents and sister died over 20 years ago; my four brothers are still living, the youngest is 63.
In 1820 when my father came there were only 20 families in the county. First female child born in county was Eulalia Lyman. She is dead. John R. Burt was first male child. He lives in Roulette Township.
When I look back upon the last 60 years and see how quickly they have passed, I cannot help but think who will be left out of the old settlers in 20 years to tell the history of the early days of Potter County. Almeron Nelson.
~~
Anniversaries: Three days---sugar; Sixty days---vinegar; First anniversary---iron; 5th---wooden; 10th---tin; 15th---crystal; 20th---china; 25th---silver; 30th---cotton; 35th---linen; 40th---woolen; 45th---silk; 50th---gold; 75th---diamond.
~~
January: By her who in this month is born no gem save garnet should be worn; They will insure her constancy, true friendship and fidelity.
February: The February born will find sincerity and peace of mind;
Freedom from passion and from care if they the amethyst will wear.
March: Who on this world of ours their eyes in March first open shall be wise;
In days of peril firm and brave and wear a blood stone to their grave.
April: She who from April dates her years diamonds should wear lest bitter tears;
For vain repentance flow; this stone emblem of innocence is known.
May: Who first beholds the light of day in spring’s sweet flowery month of May;
And wear an emerald all her life shall be a loved and happy wife.
June: Who comes with summer to this earth and owes to June her day of birth;
With ring of agate on her hand can health, wealth and long life command.
July: The glowing ruby should adorn those who in warm July are born;
Then will they be exempt and free from love’s doubt and anxiety.
August: Wear a sardonyx or for thee no conjugal felicity;
The August born without this stone ‘tis said must live unloved and lone.
September: A maiden born when autumn leaves are rustling in September’s breeze,
A sapphire on her brown should bind, ‘twill cure diseases of the mind.
October: October’s child is born for woe, and life’s vicissitudes must know,
But lay an opal on her breast and hope will lull those words to rest.
November: Who first comes to this world below with drear November fog and snow,
Should prize the topaz’s amber hue, emblem of friends and lover true.
December: If cold December gave you birth, the month of snow and ice and mirth,
Place on your hand a turquoise blue, success will bless whate’er you do.
~~
EXHIBITION by Students of Coudersport Academy
Feb. 28, 1866
PROGRAMME:
Prayer…………………………..Rev. L.A. Stevens
Introductory……………………Owen Metzger
Extract from a speech by Richard O’Gorman…………..John Harrington
The Precocious Speller………………………………….Dialogue
Extract from the Last Speech of Stephen A. Douglas…..Albert White
The Strong Minded……………………………………...Colloquy
God’s Acre-An Essay………………………………….Clara Hamilton
Vacation………………………………………………….Dialogue
The Tragedy-A Recitation……………………………..Mary Maxwell
SONG-"Sailor to His Home"
The Model School……………………………………….Colloquy
Our Country-A Poem…………………………………..Mary Galutia
The Rehearsal……………………………………………Colloquy
The Virtues and the Graces……………………………… "
The Old Clock on the Stairs-Recitation…………….….Ella Thompson
MUSIC-"Wake the Song of Jubilee"
Spartacus to the Gladiators……………………………….George W. Colwell
The Young Temperance Volunteer……………………….B. J. Smith
A Law Suit Before Esquire……………………………….H. T. Nelson
Right of Self Preservation………………………………...Luman Andrews
MUSIC-"A Patriotic Song"
Who Speaks First, or the Stranger’s Kiss…………………Colloquy
BENEDICTION
~~
A Poem written by Fannie Abson in memory of Lavinia Abson:
By the Beautiful Gate they Watch and Wait.
We speak, we speak of the loved and lost who have gone to the land above,
And the mists of the river of death are crossed by the rainbow of their love,
Sad hearts are yearning in hall and cot to pillow some dreamless head,
But we know the beautiful changes not and our darlings are not dead.
By the beautiful gate they watch and they wait till our feet shall cease to roam,
And over the river that sings forever the dear ones gather at home.
The voice of their melody wanders free thru the wall of our broken song,
And the gleam of their snowy robes we see when the earth grows dark with wrong.
We feel the touch of a vanished hand that thrilled in the days of yore,
And leads us on to the summer land where they live forever more.
We speak, when the work of the day is done of the dawning by and by,
And number our treasures one by one in our Father’s house on high.
And oft we think when our rest shall come of the meeting there will be
When the good and beautiful all go home to the city beyond the sea.
~~
The disastrous fire of May 18, 1889, destroyed in a few hours the entire business portion of Coudersport. Conspicious among the buildings now commenced will be that of the three story structure covering the sites on which formerly stood the stores of C.S. Jones and Farnham E. Lyon. The third story of the building will be Masonic Hall, the exclusive property of Eulalia Lodge No. 342, A.Y.M.
It’s history may be related briefly. A Charter was granted by the Right worshipful Grand Lodge of PA on March 4, 1861 and in the month of October following the lodge was fully organized. The charter members were: Timothy Ives, Master, B.S. Colwell, Senior Warden, C.H. Warriner, D.C. Larrabee, Wm. Shear, J.W. Allen, N.H. Goodsell, Rodney L. White, Pierre A. Stebbins, Jr., E.O. Rees, Wm. Alonzo Crosby, and Miles White.
The number of members in good standing at present is 66. Previous to the fire the Masons rented and occupied the Temperance hall over the Olmsted Block as a Lodge Room. Their loss by the fire was nearly covered by insurance, but their books, papers, and records were all consumed, with exception of the charter and the minute book. They now occupy a room in the court house awaiting completion of their new hall, which will be ready in a few months.
The society has prospered and, by good management and economy of its members will have ample resources to complete the work on hand. When finished will be sufficient for their wants and will be a substantial ornament to the street on which it stand.
On Thursday last, there was an informal ceremony of Laying the Corner Stone, at the building erected by C.S. Jones and Farnum Lyon, the third story of which is to be put on by Eulalia Lodge, No. 342, A.Y.M. and occupied for Lodge purposes.
There was no ceremony and few of the craft were present or even knew of it. Through the enterprise of E.O. Rees the various articles were gathered and sealed in a small tin box, which was placed in a cavity made for the purpose near the center of the front wall, where the hallway is to be and is covered with a cap stone or water table.
In the box was placed: A copy of the Potter Pioneer, bearing date, Coudersport, February 4, 1848. A copy of a small newspaper, a temperance paper, published at Coudersport in 1849. A copy of the first issue of the Potter Journal in 1848. A copy of the Journal dated September 8, 1880. Copy of Enterprise of May 26, 1880, containing a corrected report of the fire of the 18th. Copy of Enterprise of September 8, 1880. List and names and business of the members of Eulalia Lodge No. 342, A.Y.M. Directory of the Lodge for A.L. 5880. Names of officers of Grand Lodge of PA. Names of officers and members of Subordinate Lodges. Estimate of cost of Lodge buildings, names of building committee and contractors.
Number of inhabitants of Potter county and of Coudersport Boro; number of voters in the boro; assessed valuation of boro; and a number of papers containing matters of interest to the fraternity only.
~~
SHADOW LAND
Far from the world that we live in to day, Shadow land lies;
None know how far it is, none know the way, what are its boundaries no one can say,
Only surmise. No one in life has set foot on that shore, formed of the wreck of the sad
Nevermore.
Memory governs this shadowy land, reigning supreme. Of times there comes at her word
Of command, forms we have known from to far distant strand, faint as a dream.
Forms of those dear in the days which have flown, forms of beloved ones in life’s morning known.
With them they bring lost scenes of the past, back to our view.
Pictures of friendship not destined to last, Love that grows weak ‘neath adversity’s blast. Painted anew.
Ridges and ripples in Time’s shifting sand, hidden till now in the far Shadow Land.
~~
January 25, 1878
GREATE CONCERTE
Timeoist: Hodijah Hopkinson
Harpiscorder-Obadiah Goliah Tubbs
Trebble Fiddlers: Base Fiddlers and Others: Nemehiah Smith, Melanothon Von Gulick,
Abraham Greem, Jehoakim VanWinkle.
Women Singers: Jerusha Jawaway, Polly Mehitable Bradford, Betsy Dorathy Sproudetts, Ye names of Ye rest are omitted at their request thys being their first appearance befoe Ye Publick.
Men Singers: Work-Without-Ceasing Merryweather; Intrepid Barebones Owenfon, Great-Consolation Hillhoufe, Deacon Faithful Rofenblicker, Timothy Von Blunt, and other.
Ye FIRST PARTE
1. Old Hundred…….. All ye men and women singers
2. Sherburne……….. "
3. One-parts tune;;;; Hesikiah Quackenbush
4. Four-parts tune…Jerusha Tubbs, Thankful Green, Squire bumpus, Hodijah Von Gullick
5. One-Parts Tune…Intrepid Barebones Sparrowgrass
6. Sound the Loud Timbrel…All ye men and women singers
7. Worldly Song…..Aunt Polly Basset
8. David’s Lamentations…All ye men and women singers
9. Worldy Tune… Mistress Prudence Perkins. (She that was a Peters)
10. America…..All ye men and women singers
Ye SECOND PARTE
1. Auld Lang Syne … Men and Women Singers
2. One Parts Tune…Priscilla Charity Ann Standish
3. Strike the Cymbal…All ye men and women singers
4. Hear Our Prayer…Deliverance Billings, Mercy Van Styles, Paganini Van Winkle, Israel Putnam, Jawaway
5. Worldly Tune.. Mehitable Dorathy Cooper
6. Invitation…All ye men and women Singers
7. Two Parts Tune…Samantha Graves, Jerusha Abigail Spurgeon
8. Three-Parts Tune…Miles Standish, Truthful Bumpus, Consolation Carter
9. Jerusalem, my Glorious Home…All ye men and women Singers
10. Old Folks Have Gone…Zebediah Aminadab Cleishbotham, Esq.
N.B. Forasmuch as ye younge women who sing are shame fafte, ye younge menne are desired to look awaie from them when they singe.
N.B. Any olde ladyes whose foots stoves need frefh coals can nowe have them sente in from Naber Pettingill’s kitchen as hys women folke will keep up a big fire on purpofe.
~~
June 22, 1898 - Spain refuses to exchange Hobson, but may reconsider. They say no decision has been reached about him and his crew.
~~
My little boy with his childish face Looks down on me with his dark blue eyes,
With his curling hair and boyish grace, He seems so near as his form I trace,
But, though often I question, he never replies.
I ask, does he find in that summer land The forms of the dead so dear to me?
Does he sometimes come, hand linked in hand with his little companions to walk the strand
To watch for my coming across the sea?
Does he learn? Does he grow? Will he meet me there? The same little boy that I used to know?
With his eager eyes and his golden hair, With his clinging arms and his face so fair
Who loved me so well in the long ago?
In vain I ask Like a prisoned bird My spirit would fain be loosed and fly
To that far off land where no more is heard From restless spirit the questioning word,
Where all is made plain in the "Bye and Bye."
~~
A Division of Sons of Temperance was organized in this borough last Friday night, under the title of "Forest Division, of Sons of Temperance." The organizer, Mrs. F. A. Thomas, accompanied by 51 ladies and gentlemen of Chrystal Division, of Port Allegany, arrived here by special train and were escorted to the Hall by the Coudersport Band, when the work of organization commenced. About 35 were initiated as charter members here and below we give the list of officers of the new lodge:
O.J. Rees - - - - - - - - - - W. P. Lettie Gordnier - - - -- - - - W.A
W.H. Rounsville - - - - - P.W.P. J.E. Rounsville - - - - - - - - R.S.
Carrie Presho - - - - - - - A.S. L. R. Bliss - - - - - - - - - - - F.S.
D.W. Butterworth - - - - T Rev. Bush - - - - - - - - - - - Chap.
Frank Gordnier - - - - - - C Mary McCormic - - - - - - - A.C.
Ora Nichols - - - - - - - - I.S. Lewis Reissman - - - - - - - O.S.
C.L. Peck - - - - - - - - - D.D.
Application will be made August 8, 1901 for charter to incorporate the "Citizens’ Mutual Telegraph and Telephone Co." It will build lines in Bradford, Tioga, Lycoming, and Potter.
With the starting out of three carriers from Mansfield Post office, Monday morning.
~~
NELSON FAMILY - Held picnic at Lymansville at home of Hon. Almeron Nelson, it being the old homestead of the first Nelson family that settled in Potter County. About 200 guests were present.
Among them were Edwin and Lewis Lyman, sons of Isaac Lyman, the second settler in Potter County, and whose sister, Eulalia Lyman, born 1811, was the first white child born in Potter County, and named after Eulalia Keating, the daughter of the proprietor of the Keating estate, comprising a vast tract of land in the county, and after whom Eulalia Township was named. But the guests were mostly Nelsons, or descendants of the Nelsons, comprised in the four families that first settled at or near Lymansville. Of them we propose to write as giving a wonderful example of how communities have been formed and counties and states carved out of the wilderness and peopled by a hardy race of pioneers. More particularly of those of Scotch and Irish lineage to which the Nelsons belong, their grandfather, John Nelson, an Irishman, having in 1775 married a Scotch lass for a wife, and to this pair were born eleven children, of whom all lived to marry and raise large families. Could these descendants be traced, they would number thousands, the longevity of the Nelsons being remarkable.
Of the family of six children that settled at Lymansville in 1820, but two have died, and the combined age of the four brothers present on this occasion is 292 years. An aunt of the family, now living at Fort Ann, Washington County, NY, celebrated her 99th birthday on the 4th of July last.
Cephas Nelson, the father of Horatio, Henry, Charlotte, Lyman, James, and Almeron, all but two of whom are well known as now active citizens of the county, and were living participants in the rare enjoyments of the occasion, came to Lymansville in March, 1820. He brought his whole family of eight persons and all his household goods on a single two horse sleigh. The horses which had hauled in his family goods, proving unsuited to the work of clearing new land, were disposed of, and with a small yoke of steers, and with grub hoes, land was cleared, seeded, and sufficient grain raised for the year’s supply of food; and enough flax grown, which, with the wool from five sheep, when carded, spun, woven, and made up by the women, supplied the clothing.
Two years later, 1822, Silas Nelson settled at Lymansville. His family by his first wife, consisted of Horace, George, Ira, Lucinda, Sarah, Cephas, and Leroy. Of these, four were present on this occasion. By his second wife, he had nine children, their names we did not learn, although a number of them were present.
Two sisters of Silas and Cephas Nelson, Annice Woodcock and Sally Rossman, settled with their husbands at or near Lymansville, a number of the descendants of whom were present.
Mr. John Nelson came to Lymansville in 1827, having three children when he came and four were born afterward. From these families enumerated above, sprang the 200 relatives at this picnic and there are at least 200 more scattered through almost every State and Territory in the Union, who were unable to attend.
The deed for the Lyman farm, in possession of Mr. Almeron Nelson, was recorded in the records of Lycoming County in 1821. Potter then was a part of Lycoming. Jurors drawn here for the Court often had to travel ninety miles to get to the place where it was held.
The country at the time the Lymans came, was a dense wilderness; its roads few, mere pathways cut through the forest, obstructed by stumps, roots, and stones, with creeks, swamps and sloughs, un-bridged and unfilled, and which the traveler must ford, wade, or pass around, the latter expedient impossible in many places owing to the roughness of the country. Over such roads the Nelsons came into the county. Over such roads they carried grain to mill to be ground into flour at Ceres, NY, twenty miles distant. And this was a great improvement upon the condition of things eleven years previous. When Mr. John Peet, as has been recorded in the history of the state, had to go to Jersey Shore to mill, and in doing so, had to cross Pine Creek 99 times, and consume two weeks of time in going and coming this 65 miles; his family living in the meantime on the milk of a cow and what vegetables they could get from the woods, and fish they could catch from the streams. Or the time when the father of John Burt, now residing in Roulet Township, the first male white child born in Potter county, ground his corn in a mortar improvised out of the stump of a tree, with a log for a pestle operated by a spring pole made from a sapling. Or when he became the first tanner in the county, cutting his bark fine with an axe, and steeping his hides in the tanning, held in a vat hollowed out of the trunk of a tree with the axe.
Mr. Nelson exhibited to his guests a few relics, preserved as mementos of his boyhood days, among which was a conch shell that was used to call the Nelsons to dinner more than eighty years. A steel yard that had determined his weight to be four pounds at birth, he now tips the scales at 225 pounds. There was a glass decanter that came in the first crate of crockery coming into Potter county brought from Philadelphia by a horse team as a part of the stock of the store of Harry Lyman, situated on Cephas Nelson’s farm, and being the first one opened in the County.
Store goods were expensive and money scarce so "homespun" constituted mainly the clothing of the pioneer. Calico cost 50 cents per yard, and was the staple dress goods for the ladies. Cotton cloth could be procured for the same price. Most linen was home made. Nearly every settler could make and mend coarse shoes for his family; as for lighter covering the feet were left to the covering which nature gave them.
The first census of the county gave 27 white and one black man as the population. When Cephas nelson settled at Lymansville, the whole population of the county was comprised of 21 families. These were scattered on their small clearings, surrounded by dense forests, in many cases so far apart as hardly to be neighborly, when living within four or five miles of each other made families near neighbors.
What must have been the reflections of the venerable sons of those four Nelsons, who with their families, first settled at Lymansville, as they looked upon the crowd of their kindred assembled there at the old homestead, coming as they all had from their homes of comfort and refinement.
Next year the family will hold a reunion picnic at the residence of Henry Nelson in Coudersport.
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Eighty-Seventh Birthday - "Though time drives the years, God rules the paces and the path."
A quiet little family party gathered at the home of W. D. Jordan, Troupsburg, NY on April 11th, 1909, to celebrate not only Easter Day but the natal day of Dr. George Washington Northrup, who on that day reached the 87th milestone on life’s journey.
Born in Bradford County; in early life learned the trade of a tanner; not until he was 23 or 24 did he envision himself as a disciple of Aesculapius. Such progress as he had already made in the study of the "higher branches" of the schools of the time, Logic, Algebra, and Latin that after "reading medicine" as it was then called, with Dr. Barnes, of LeRaysville, PA for one year, he was fitted to enter the medical department of Hobart College, Geneva, NY.
After two years of faithful work with books, lecturers, and in the dissecting room his studies were finished in 1849 with the class that will always bear a special mark of distinction, because among its 29 members was graduated the first woman practitioner in medicine, Miss Elizabeth Blackwell.
Miss Blackwell had been refused admission to 10 or 12 other medical schools and when her request came to the Dean of Hobart’s medical department, Dr. Charles S. Lee, a very noted man of his time, he submitted the question to the class of young medics, and, to their everlasting honor be it recorded, it was a vote of the men themselves which gave Miss Blackwell a seat in their sessions.
She is still living at Hastings, near London, England, at the advanced age of 88. So, rather unconsciously, "the 49ers" made of themselves a notable class and it would be interesting to know how many survive to celebrate this summer, the 60th anniversary of their graduation.
By his skill and caution and his faithful attendance on his patients he established a large practice throughout Brookfield where he settled in 1850. This practice extends into Potter County and over into Steuben County in New York, but after a number of years he gave up the active practice of his profession to devote his time more fully to his farming.
A few years after the marriage of his youngest daughter to W. D. Jordan he left the farming interests in their hands and in 1889 he and his good wife came to Knoxville to make their home.
In 1906 his only son, Clement D. Northup died. Last summer, 1908, Mrs. Jordan died. In 1895 his daughter, Mrs. Ella Northup Ankeny died. By the birth of a daughter to Mr. & Mrs. George Ankeny, of Teluride, Colorado, the sixth grandchild has been added to the family circle.
His daughter, Mrs. May Edwards, accompanied by a young friend, Miss McAvoy, who added much good cheer to the occasion, Mrs. C. D. Northup, of Osceola, PA, Mrs. Jordan and his daughter, Susie, sat down with the doctor to the discussion of an exceptionally fine Easter-birthday dinner.
Many cards and letters bearing congratulations and messages of good will from friends far and near were showered upon the doctor, making a very acceptable "April Shower" which is sure to bring forth not only "May flowers" but sweet blossoms of friendship whose fragrance will last through all the days of all the years and through all eternity.
"And when thy life’s new birth-day dawns for thee, And hopes and dreams have faded in the past, In the calm light of peace thine eyes shall see, That love’s best gift comes last."
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England Honors Woman Physician - January 30, 1949
Hastings, England - High on the wall of Rock House, Exmouth Place, Hastings, is a white commemorate tablet with the inscription: "Here lived and worked for thirty years Dr. Elizabeth Blackwell." Born at Bristol, 1821, died at Hastings, 1910. First woman to graduate in medicine in U.S. at Geneva, NY, 1849. First woman to be placed on the British Medical Register, 1859. The problem of Dr. Blackwell’s old wrought iron gate cropped up in Hastings and attracted people’s attention to her home, unoccupied for 18 years and in need of renovation and repair. Gate was removed during war for salvage, the owner of Rock House claimed 15 pounds ($60) from the ministry of works, but was awarded $4.
1849 - 1949: Elizabeth Blackwell started infirmary for babies on lower East Side, NY. First woman doctor in U.S.
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On Sept. 15, 1934, Mrs. Louise (Butterworth) Randall, of 626 Walnut Park, Meadville, PA, wrote to Mrs. Hugh Carlyle Young, 59 Wain Street, Wellsboro, PA, the following:
Dear Lois and Carl: I’m going to begin a letter tho it is so hot I don’t feel much like it, and don’t expect any Will Rogers "wise-cracks" or even much of interest, for now that I have passed the ninetieth milestone on life’s journey. I realize that my "faculties" are really failing. Deafness has come to me and that alone is maddening. Also have to be careful of my precious eyesight, so fear my days of letter writing are about over; so you can’t blame me for feeling it a doubtful pleasure when such an avalanche of cards and letters came to me, three from people in California I never saw, but who had read my letters to a friend there, but you see, courtesy demands "thanks." And Oh, Lordy, it does seem a burden. From friends and neighbors here I received flowers, fruit, cards, etc., etc., and auto rides as we have no car.
Jo and Walker left yesterday on their honey moon trip" they take each year. August 31st, but delayed this time as weather was so cold. They go down to Pittsburgh by bus and on steamer to Cincinnati, and return on boat. I have a neighbor to stay here nights, and enjoy doing the little need by way of meals, eat and read at leisure. Am never lonely. These clippings (above) I am sending Carl, he may not care for, but as a loyal Butterworth, I want him to see that our side of the family tree has cause for pride in this Mrs. Pradt as we have in David Wilmot! See? (Transcriber's note - the above mentioned "clippings" are the obituary for Louis A. Pradt, Wausau, Wisconsin, which can be found under obituaries).
His mother was Esther Emmons and her mother was a sister of my father Wales Cheney Butterworth and of Carl’s grandfather, Appleton Butterworth.
You know Elizabeth Roberts Barnsley’s son Edward is making a study of our Genealogy and when they were in Titusville, recently attending that Jubilee, came here, took us to lunch (to save time), so we could go the long ride to see the wonderful Pymatuning Lake being formed near here. The masonry at dam site and bridge across lake are wonderful specimens of masonry.
I was so glad to hear so much news of your families. Hopes Louise continues to improve. Do remember me to all who know with much love. Jo’s flowers are lovely and lawn as we have unlimited supply of city water. Some roses winter killed. Glad you had fine trip and will be grateful for any news from any of you dear folks.
Always with love, Cousin Louise Randall
Notice copied from the Wausau Record Herald at the time of Esther Emmons Pradt’s death, 1902:
Esther Emmons was born June 9th, 1823 at Springville, Erie County, NY - She married on January 1845 to Charles R. Pradt at Coudersport, PA. Mr. Pradt was a carpenter and he and his family lived in Coundersport until 1858, when they moved to Plymouth, Wisconsin. Ten years later they moved to Glenbeulah in the same county, Sheboygan, and in 1872 came to Marathon County and set up a homestead in the town of Holton. In 1887 they moved to Wausau where Mr. Pradt died May 22, 1899. Five children were born to them:
Henry W.; Lucien, who died at age of two and a half years; James E., who died at the age of seven months; Louis A., who is Assistant-Attorney General in Washington, DC; and Walter C., who lives at Colby. Has since died (1943).
Dr. Charles Pradt who was a son of Noah Pradt, brother of Charles Pradt, used to live in Brattleboro, VT.
The parents of Esther Emmons were named Butterworth, apparently of the same family and generation of Wales and Appleton Butterworth.
Esther Emmons Pradt was a niece of Appleton and Wales Butterworth. (See letter from Mrs. Louise Randall above).
~~
(April 1878) Sunday last was the 70th birthday of Dr. Amos French of Coudersport. Forty years ago he removed to this place and has ever since made it his home, practicing medicine until the last few years which he has devoted principally to this drug and grocery store.
When he first settled in Coudersport, our village contained but twenty-five families, of which only nine persons now remain, all except one of these attended the Dr.’s birthday party on Saturday. All the gentlemen present were born in 1808. The stories of early days that these parties might tell, would make a valuable and interesting volume.
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REV. BENJAMIN THOMAS
Married in Friendship, NY, November 5, 1830, by the Rev. A. Miner, Rev. Benjamin Thomas of Friendship to Miss Catherine Gorton of the same place.
The fiftieth anniversary of the above was celebrated at the home of this aged couple in Harrison, PA. There were present at this golden reunion the officiating clergyman of fifty years ago, (a cousin of the bride), a resident of Madison, Wisconsin, and Rev. J. C. Miner, (a brother of the officiating clergyman), now a resident of Bloomington, IL. Also, Daniel Miner, (another cousin of the bride) and wife, with several other relatives of Friendship, NY. Deacon E. Perkins, a son-in-law, with two granddaughters, the Misses Eva and Iva Doud, of Virgil, NY, also with the exception of one daughter, wife of E. Perkins, all of the surviving children and grandchildren, with a numerous collection of friends and neighbors.
Rev. Benjamin Thomas was ordained to the ministry at Friendship, where he prosecuted his labors for several years and then moved to Olean, NY, where he was pastor of the Baptist Church for five years. Then he moved to Belfast, NY, where he was pastor for seven years, and thirty years ago he came to Harrison to labor, where he now resides.
A grand, good, enjoyable time was this Golden Wedding. The aged clergyman so far from his home of the olden time. The Rev. S. C. Miner, from his prairie home, meeting the cousin and bride, of fifty years after a separation of forty-two years. The kindly meeting and greeting of cousins and relatives from afar, of children and grandchildren, with father and mother, grandpa and grandma, the hearty congratulations and good wishes for the inner and outer man, all were duly appreciated, and each went his way with many wishes that the same guiding hand that has led this aged couple may still lead them down the decline of life to where the next reunion shall be golden, indeed.
The following tribute of affection was read by a grandson of the aged bride and groom:
"Fifty years - almost two generations of married life - we meet to congratulate you upon reaching this golden era, and to thank you, next to God, for this life we so love to live. Here are the full-grown men and women, with life half tried, with the earnest wish that if they do not reap the full fruition of their hopes, they may at least have the comfortable down hill that you have experienced.
Here are the youth just entering life and its trials, who would learn from you that patient resignation to the will of our Heavenly Father, ‘who doeth all things well,’ and here the child, whose constant summer is never clouded. But some are missing. To one the pride and hope of his parents and sisters, the somber messenger came in the hissing bullet from his country’s enemy. To others, the message was brought by a comely angel, and loving hands smoothed the pallid brow, and closed the weary eyes.
We thank you for the example of a well ordered life, for care and training, which we hope will result in equal serenity in our old age, and should it be the happy fortune of any of your descendants to reach this golden prime, may it be ours to meet with them in another, a happy reunion.
We sincerely hope that it may be many years before this broken tie shall be severed or ‘the golden bowl shall be broken,’ but you are old, and in course of nature we may be your survivors.
When age has dimmed the eye - When the shining locks are silver hairs - And the form is bent with weight of cares, - "Tis a privilege to die. - Still we must know that - Death is the way of all, - The way to bowers - Lit up by seraphs’ smiles-is Terror King," - Riding upon the swift wing of the hours, -- How terrible and how beautiful a thing.
Accept through me from your children and grandchildren their congratulations on your arrival at this semi-centennial anniversary of your marriage, and the Mohomedan’s wish, "May you live a thousand years, and your shadow never grow less.""
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paintedhills Old Potter Co Marriages etc SheriDGraves.docx
20180320 Chesterfield-
http://www.paintedhills.org/POTTER/OLDPOTTERCO.MARRIAGES,BIRTHS,&MISC.html
OLD POTTER CO. MARRIAGES, BIRTHS, & MISC.
Contributed & Transcribed by PHGS Member: Sheri D. Graves
NOTE: Files copied from a book at the Potter County Historical Society with their permission.
MARRIAGES
Married at residence of bride’s father,… |
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Male
Female
Female
