| Sources |
- [S1720] Public Member Trees, N/A, Database online. Edna Lovesky's Family2, Owner: orca67 Last viewed: John Bell http://trees.ancestry.com/tree/12174064/person/-319971383?ssrc=&ftm=1 20180314 RVA John Bell.
Record for John Bell
- [S137] Merlyn Wetzel, e-mail: Merlyn WETZEL, Mary Law.
Mrs. Benson's maternal grandmother, Mary Law, was born in England and married, for her first husband, Thomas Bee, and for her second husband, John Bell, and with her second husband came to America , about 1800, bringing her five children, Thomas, Mary, and John Bee, and William and John Bell, and were among the first settlers of Ceres Township. Thomas Bee and his Brother John, uncles of Mrs. Benson, and natives of England, were also pioneers of Ceres, John paying for the homestead and caring for his mother and stepfather while they lived.
... copied from Beers History of Mckean, Cameron Elk and Potter Counties.
Mrs. Benson's maternal grandmother, Mary Law, was born in England and married, for her first husband, Thomas Bee, and for her second husband, John Bell, and with her second husband came to America , about 1800, bringing her five children, Thomas, Mary, and John Bee, and William and John Bell, and were among the first settlers of Ceres Township. Thomas Bee and his Brother John, uncles of Mrs. Benson, and natives of England, were also pioneers of Ceres, John paying for the homestead and caring for his mother and stepfather while they lived.
... copied from Beers History of Mckean, Cameron Elk and Potter Counties.
- [S394] Ancestry.com, Public Member Trees, (Name: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc.; Location: Provo, UT, USA; Date: 2006;), Database online., Skinner/Schinzel-Ahlemeyer/Haines Tree J_Ahlemeyer.
Record for Mary Law Lee, Jr Family Tree, Owner: roblee714 Last viewed: Mary Law
- [S137] Merlyn Wetzel, e-mail: Merlyn WETZEL.
Mrs. Benson's maternal grandmother, Mary Law, was born in England and married, for her first husband, Thomas Bee, and for her second husband, John Bell, and with her second husband came to America , about 1800, bringing her five children, Thomas, Mary, and John Bee, and William and John Bell, and were among the first settlers of Ceres Township. Thomas Bee and his Brother John, uncles of Mrs. Benson, and natives of England, were also pioneers of Ceres, John paying for the homestead and caring for his mother and stepfather while they lived. ... copied from Beers History of Mckean, Cameron Elk and Potter Counties.
Mrs. Benson's maternal grandmother, Mary Law, was born in England and married, for her first husband, Thomas Bee, and for her second husband, John Bell, and with her second husband came to America , about 1800, bringing her five children, Thomas, Mary, and John Bee, and William and John Bell, and were among the first settlers of Ceres Township. Thomas Bee and his Brother John, uncles of Mrs. Benson, and natives of England, were also pioneers of Ceres, John paying for the homestead and caring for his mother and stepfather while they lived.
... copied from Beers History of Mckean, Cameron Elk and Potter Counties.
- [S101] Early Potter County Vital Statistics, Vol, I, (Name: Potter County Journal;), Bell, John died... also Philadelphia, 146R.
John Bell died May 2, 1874 at Ceres, age over 80 years. He had lived there for 56 years; was born in England; came with his parents to Philadelphia when quite young; was the first settler in Genessee Twp. Allegany Co NY.
- [S1558] M.W. Mann & Maria King, History of Ceres and its near vicinity, from its early settlement in 1798 to the present, (Name: Olean, NY: Gillett & Weston, 1896;), 15, 16. John Bell Sr. 4-5 refernces consolidated 20181024HAv15, 16. consolidate 20190228HAv- (8) into (11).
20250930GHLn- edited, pasted from front Citation Text-
20250930GHLn- edited, pasted from front Citation Text-
"In these years, some families came that remained. In 1802, John Bell, his wife and his son William, and two sons and a daughter of his wife's by a former marriage, Thomas, John and Mary Bee, all came. They came from Haltwhistle, Northumberlandshire, England, a place mentioned in one of Sir Walter Scott's novels, 'Heart of Mid Lothian'. They had come to Philadelphia not many years before, and Mr. Bell, who was a superior mechanic, had "built a hospital" in that city, but the yellow fever, of which there was more or less for several years, frightened them, and hearing of this break into the wilderness, they followed, leaving one son, John, with a family near the city to whom he was apprenticed to learn the saddler's trade. After he attained his majority, he, too, came to Ceres, where he spent his long and useful life, as did also his brother William and his step-brothers and sister, and where many of their descendants still live."
- [S137] Merlyn Wetzel, e-mail: Merlyn WETZEL, re: Bell, Benson, LAW.
Is this folder still accessible? jcw, 04.04.2011
- [S1814] John S. Minard, Esq. Historian, History of Allegany County, New York Chapter LXVIII- Genesee, (Name: W. A. Fergusson & Co., ; Location: Alfred, NY ; Date: 1896;), John Bell, Sr.
History of Genesee, New York
FIRST SETTLEMENTS.-The first settler in the town was John Bell, who, born in England, came to this country when nine years of age. He came to Ceres in 1817, and in the fall bought land on Bell Brook with the state line for its southern boundary. He at once commenced a clearing and the next year built, near the state line, a large log house containing three great fireplaces. In December he brought his bride, Miss Jane King of Ceres, to the new home, and on this farm they passed the remainder of their lives, Mrs. Bell living to see more than man's allotted three score years and ten, and Mr. Bell more than four score years.
20180314 RVA-
http://history.rays-place.com/ny/genesee-ny.htm
History of Genesee, New York
A Centennial Memorial
History of Allegany County, New York
John S. Minard, Esq. Historian
Mrs. Georgia Drew Andrews, Editor.
W. A. Fergusson & Co., Alfred, N. Y. 1896
Typed for the web by: Mike Curtis
GENESEE
CHAPTER LXVIII
GENESEE is the southwestern town of Allegany county. At the time the first settlement was made within its limits it was a part of the town of Friendship. In 1822, when the town of Cuba was formed from Friendship, it was included in the new town, and was set off from Cuba as Genesee 905. The soil is, for the most part, a gravelly loam, though in some places it is a sandy, and, in others, a clayey loam. The surface is very uneven, consisting of narrow valleys between ranges of hills both high and steep. The highest summits are said to be 1,000 to 1,400 feet above the valleys. Although many of the hills have been partially cleared, with very few exceptions the homes have been built in the valleys. On one of the highest hills, a little to the northeast of the center of the town, nature has located a hamlet known as “Rock City.” It consists of huge boulders of conglomerate, some of which are as large as a good-sized dwelling, and seen from a distance they appear to be a collection of houses. The sides of some of the boulders are as perpendicular as the walls of a house, with corners as well-defined, while others are very irregular in shape and vary greatly in its declivities and cover an area of 40 acres. In the early “forties,” when it was surrounded by a dense wilderness and bears were sometimes met in going there, the “City” had its beginning as a resort for celebrations, picnics, etc. With the removal of the woods much of the charm of picnicking was lost, but the view of the surrounding country seen from the crest of the hill in a pleasant day affords the lover of nature a picture not soon to be forgotten, and the rocks are still monuments of the omnipotence of Him who placed them there.
The streams of the town are Little Genesee, Windfall, Oswayo, Deer, Dodge's and Wolf creeks, Streeter, Wilson, Bell, Butternut and other nameless brooks fed by living springs. The valleys of all the creeks are thickly settled, as are also some of the brook valleys; and, while on some of the brooks the clearings are comparatively new, thrift and enterprise can in a few years make them rival those which have been longer cultivated. In West Genesee, besides the 20 or more dwellings in either valley, there is on Deer creek a schoolhouse, and on Dodge's creek a Seventh-day Baptist church and a schoolhouse. There is also a schoolhouse in the Windfall valley.
LITTLE GENESEE.-The village of Little Genesee is in the southeastern part of the town, and contains one Seventh-day Baptist church, one schoolhouse with two departments, a hall, two general stores, in one of which is Little Genesee postoffice, one feed and hardware store, two vacant stores, a hotel, a milliner's shop, a barber's shop and some 30 dwellings with about 100 inhabitants.
CERES.-The village of Ceres is situated on Oswayo creek, a little west of the center of the south line of the town. It lies partly in Genesee and partly in Ceres, PA., and has nearly 300 inhabitants. It contains, in Genesee, the postoffice (Ceres, N.Y.), a schoolhouse with two departments, a dry-goods and millinery store, a general store, two doctor's offices, a printing office, a saw and planning mill, a handle factory, a railroad station, a barber shop, 48 dwellings, and about 200 inhabitants, while scarcely across the state line are the M.E. church and parsonage.
FIRST SETTLEMENTS.-The first settler in the town was John Bell, who, born in England, came to this country when nine years of age. He came to Ceres in 1817, and in the fall bought land on Bell Brook with the state line for its southern boundary. He at once commenced a clearing and the next year built, near the state line, a large log house containing three great fireplaces. In December he brought his bride, Miss Jane King of Ceres, to the new home, and on this farm they passed the remainder of their lives, Mrs. Bell living to see more than man's allotted three score years and ten, and Mr. Bell more than four score years.
The second settler was Newman Crabtree of Friendship. In 1819 he put up a shanty on the Genesee creek and commenced building a mill which was not completed for two or three years. He then sawed lumber and built a plank house, and went with his ox sled to bring his family from his former home in Friendship (now Wirt.) There was an old hut on lot 3 used by the Indians as a half-way house in passing between the reservations on the Genesee and Allegany rivers. Around the hut the vegetation was luxuriant, and Mr. Crabtree stopped to let his oxen feed, and while waiting he set the hut on fire. Returning with his family after two or three days he found his own house in flames and went back to the home in Wirt. A few days later Mr. Cowles of Bolivar met an Indian near the mill and asked him why he burned the house, to which the Indian replied, “He burn me house, me burn his.” When asked why he did not burn the mill too, he said, “Ugh, he no burn me mill.”
In the fall of 1822 Jabez Burdick of Berlin, N.Y., came to Genesee. He had passed the spring and summer in Friendship, working a farm on shares. He located on Genesee Creek above the village, and made a little clearing and built a log shanty on it that fall, and the following January brought his family, a wife, one son and two daughters.
In 1824 Roswell Streeter, also of Berlin, settled here, and in 1826 built a framed house, the first in town, which he afterward sold to Mr. Wells who moved it to his own land and lived in it. It still exists as part of the house owned by Mrs. Howe. Previous to 1830 Mr. Streeter removed to Wirt.
In 1824 Ezekiel Crandall and Joseph Wells of Rhode Island came to Genesee and bought 1,000 acres of land for themselves and other Rhode Island men. Mr. Wells was desirous of having the tract which contained a good waterpower, and this privilege the others readily granted. The remainder was divided among the purchasers by lot. Mr. Wells and Mr. Crandall brought their families in 1825. Their goods were shipped to Rochester by water, Mr. and Mrs. Wells coming the same way, while their six children, with Mr. Crandall and his family (five children) came with horses and wagons, making the trip in about three weeks. Mr. Wells built their log house where the house of his son Samuel now stands. The next year he built a blacksmith shop, at which trade he worked until his death in 1836. His sons Daniel and Samuel also followed the same trade for many years. Mr. Crandall with his family were detained at Alfred by sickness and they did not occupy their log house until March, 1826.
Riverions Hooker and John Loop came in 1825. Mr. Hooker settled on Dodge's Creek in the northwest part of the town where he lived until his death in 1868. Mr. Loop also settled in the northwest part of the town but removed to Pennsylvania in a few years.
In 1826 Joseph Maxson of Rhode Island with his wife and four grown children settled on Windfall creek, building on the site where the house of his grandson, Asa L. Maxson, now stands. In the same year Ira Burdick came from Berlin, N.Y., building his house of hewed logs on the bank of the brook below the village. The following winter, while chopping, he was killed by a falling tree. Mrs. Burdick had a hard struggle to provide for herself and two little ones. But she “kept the wolf from the door” until the children were old enough to help her in the struggle. So kind and bright and cheery was she that she endeared herself alike to old and young, and “Aunt Polly” was at all times a welcome guest, especially so if there was sickness or sorrow. After the marriage of her children her home was with her daughter, Mrs. E.R. Crandall, where she died in 1861.
In 1826 or '27 Horace and Hiram Wilson bought land, which, after occupying some years, they sold to Henry C. Crandall and Wm. L. Bowler. In 1827 William and Norry Hooker and John Cook settled on Dodge's Creek, and several families from Rhode Island in the southeast part of the town. Samuel Jaques, George Kenyon and Joel Crandall bought in the valley east of the village, Benj. Maxson and Ethan Kenyon in the Genesee valley, northeast of the village, David Maxson below the village, Amos Green and Rev. Henry P. Green in the Windfall valley, and James King in the Oswayo valley below Ceres village. Daniel and John Edwards of Rhode Island, George Potter of Connecticut, and Rowland Coon, formerly of Rhode Island, came in 1828. Mr. Coon settled in the northern part of the town where he died in 1848. His son, Alonzo B., owned the place until the oil development, when he sold it and removed to Friendship. Mr. Potter bought on Windfall creek and some years after returned with his wife to Connecticut, his son George remaining on the place until his death in 1856. The Edwards brothers settled in the Genesee valley about a mile above Ceres, where they lived until 1874, when they sold the farm and dissolved partnership, John remaining in the old home until his death in 1877, and Daniel removing to Dodge's Creek valley in 1831, where he lived until his death in 1858. His son, John J., who came with him, still lives on the place. Paul Ennis of Rhode Island also came to Dodge's Creek in 1829, and in 1850 removed to Little Genesee. The same year Ebenezer D. Bliss brought his family to the Windfall valley and lived on the same farm until his death in 1884. His son David cared for his father in his last years, and after his death removed to the village where he died in 1891. Joseph Boss, who came with Mr. Bliss, in 1837 bought a farm in Windfall creek where he lived until his death in 1872. Peleg Babcock also settled in the Windfall valley about 1828 or'29.
The first settlement was made in Ceres, Pa., as early as 1795, so that by 1830 quite a settlement had been made there, but so far as can now be ascertained, nearly all the families living where the village now is, were in Pennsylvania. Previous to 1830 Daniel Carr and Edward Steenrod had settled on the Genesee side of the village, and John Darling farther down the valley below John Bell. A few years later Mr. Darling went west.
In 1830 George Irish of Connecticut and Joseph S. and Ethan P. Crandall of Otsego county came to Dodge's Creek. Palermo Lackey of Vermont came into the town in the same year, and in 1838 settled on the farm where he still lives. In 1831 Elias I. Maxson of Rhode Island came to Dodge's Creek, George Merritt and his sons of Rhode Island and John Tanner of Petersburg to Windfall valley, Matthew M. Crandall to the southwest part of the town, and Asa Langworthy located near the Bolivar line above the village. Jairus Crandall came in 1832 settling in the Windfall valley. In his later years he removed to the village. Z. Reynolds Maxson came to the village, Warren Hyde to the north part and Paul Edwards to the south part of the town in the same year. Mr. Hyde and Mr. Edwards went to Wisconsin in the early forties.
Albert B. Crandall of Brookfield came to Deer Creek in 1833 where he spent the remainder of his life, and where his son, A.K. Crandall, still lives. Henry C. Champlin came from Alfred to Dodge's Creek the same year, and the following year removed to Deer Creek. About 1834 Paul Crandall and Marvin Wheelock settled at Ceres, and Dennis Saunders and Horace Buten in the Windfall valley. In the early thirties, probably, four brothers, Alvah, Ira, Cyrus and Russell Cooper came to Ceres. Cyrus and Russell owned a mill which they operated a number of years, when Cyrus moved across the line. Russell remained in this town until his death, keeping store for many years.
EARLY EVENTS AND INDUSTRIES.-The first birth in the town was that of Francis K. son of John Bell, and the first death was that of the same child who lived but a few weeks. The first marriage was that of Joseph Allen and Phebe Maxson in 1826. Mr. Allen is still living in Wirt. The first school was taught by Elder Henry P. Green in the winter of 1826 and 27, in a little house on Ezekiel Crandall's land. The first term at Ceres was taught about 1833 by Hiram Wilson who was a Lima student. “The old yellow schoolhouse” was then a new one. Of the early settlers, Joseph Wells was blacksmith, Riverious Hooker millwright and carpenter, George Kenyon, Matthew M. Crandall and Paul Edwards shoemakers, Mr. Bliss chairmaker (and the chairs, which after 50 years of use seem good for another 50, testify that he must have been a good workman), Joel Maxson surveyor, D. and J. Edwards carpenters and wagon-makers, Peleg Babcock and Mr. Tanner coopers, and Mrs. Rowland Coon tailoress. The first store was kept by Albert Langworthy in one room of his dwelling. The first hotel was kept by Lewis J. Coon in 1842, but no license to sell liquors was ever granted in the town. In 1835 or 36 the Edwards brothers built a cabinet and wagon shop, and in the early fifties a gristmill, the first in town.
In 1836 a circulating library was established for which an act of incorporation was secured and which was known as “The Franklin Library.” Many of its prominent members and patrons were citizens of Ceres, Penn. The library was kept up about 25 years when the books were divided amongst the members. It contained Rollin's Ancient History, Plutarch's Lives, Waverly novels, histories of France and England, works of Franklin, Irving, Byron, Dickens, Goldsmith, Milton, Cowper, Life of Napoleon and many others.
Little Genesee post office was established in 1830 with Benjamin Maxson as postmaster. He lived and kept the office in a house now owned by W.S. Wells. The mail route extended from Friendship to Ceres where it connected with a route from Olean into Pennsylvania and the mails were carried on horseback once a week. Later a stage route was established going from Friendship to Olean one day and back the next making the trip twice a week. After the New York & Erie railroad was built the mail route was divided, one stage running from Ceres to Olean daily and one from Ceres to Friendship 3 times a week until 1869 or 70 after which it went daily. In 1881 two railroads were built through the town, the Allegany Central running from Olean to Angelica, now known as the C. N. Y. & W. and running only from Olean to Bolivar; the Bradford, Eldred & Cuba running from Bradford to Wellsville, with a branch road from Genesee to Cuba. The Cuba branch was abandoned after a few years and in 1893 the main road was also given up. After the railroads were built the mail was carried on them and there are now 4 mails a day.
EARLY EXPERIENCES.-One stanza of a song familiar to the children of forty years ago ran thus,
“If we a visit wished to pay - On a winter's night or a winter's day, - The oxen drew the ladies sleigh - In the new country.”
But the pioneers assure us that travel with ox sleds was not limited to winter weather, but that trips to mill and to market were made in the same way in summer also, sometimes going in that manner from West Genesee to Friendship. Some of the early settlers tell of being half a day coming the last three or four miles, and others about cutting a road a mile or more beyond where any had been made to get their goods to the hew home. One pioneer at least is known to have reached the town having but $25 in money with his house yet to build and winter soon coming. Doubtless there would be many similar records were the circumstances known. The capacity of the little log houses seems at the present day almost marvelous. When a new family came they were taken in by some family already housed, until their own could be built. Houses 18 feet by 20, or 18 by 24, some with chambers, some without, sheltered for weeks or months two families with five, six, or seven in a family. Wolves and bears were frequently seen and several instances could be cited where daylight showed by the tracks, that on the previous evening individuals had been followed nearly to the house by wolves, in one instance by four. Sad havoc was made among the sheep by wolves and lynx for several years, and lambs were sometimes destroyed by eagles. Deer furnished meat for many a meal, and bears also occasionally served as food. A bear killed by Jabez Burdick was shared with his neighbors. In one family the good wife was not told what kind of meat it was until she had cooked and eaten of it, pronouncing it extra nice pork. Many a supper consisted of mush and milk or milk porridge or roasted potatoes, or johnny cake baked on a board before the fire (for it must be remembered that for a number of years there were very few families who had a stove) and sometimes when there was no milk the mush was eaten in water gruel.
Perhaps it may not have been a common occurrence, but it sometimes happened that the children must go early to bed that their one suit of clothing might be washed or mended ready for school on the morrow. Very rich did the children feel when they had shoes and stockings to wear to church in warm weather, and so precious were they, that those who had long walks to church went barefoot carrying the shoes to put on when nearly there. The busy housewife had not simply to cut and make the clothing for the family, but the cloth from which it was made was also the result of her own labor. The woolen sheets, flannel dresses and shawls for the women and girls, flannel shirts and kersey and satinet suiting for the men and boys were spun, woven and made with her own hands. The little linen wheels, which a few years ago the young ladies brought from the attic for parlor ornaments, performed an active part in home industries in the kitchens of their grandmothers. Sheets and pillow slips, plain kersey and diaper towels, bird's eye, snowflake and rose diaper tablecloths, were all wrought by their busy fingers from flax grown on the land. Some of these articles are now treasured as heirlooms by the daughters and granddaughters. Stockings and mittens for large and small were knit by the same diligent fingers, much of it being done as a rest from heavier labors.
MILLS AND LUMBERING.-The town was heavily timbered with pine and hemlock, as well as hard woods. When the first settlements were made, there were no roads and no sawmills nearer than those which had been built at Ceres, then known as Smith Settlement, previous to 1825. So the timber was felled and at first burned, the settlers living near the creeks cut the trees into logs, put them in to the streams and let the freshets carry them away. Some time in the thirties after lumber could be drawn to the mills, the best of pine brought $2.50 per thousand delivered at the mill. The first sawmill was built by Newman Crabtree on the farm now owned by Mr. Bowler. He completed it in the summer of 1822 and had sawed but a few thousand boards when his house was burned and he abandoned the mill. Soon after the dam was destroyed by a pine tree falling across it. About four years later Horace and Hiram Wilson bought and repaired the mill and run it for several years. In 1830 the second mill was built a mile or more farther down the stream by Daniel and John Edwards, and was in operation more or less for about forty years. A year or two later one was built on Windfall creek by Ezekiel Crandall and Joseph Maxson and their sons, Henry C. Crandall and Joel Maxson. Between this and 1850 one was built on Windfall creek by George Potter; on the Genesee creek, one at the village by Avery and Albert Langworthy; below the village one by David Maxson one by A.B. Coon and D. Fairbanks and one by W.L. Bowler and H.C. Maxson; one on Wolf creek by Elias Maxson; on Dodge's creek one by Paul Ennis and one by George Irish; on Deer creek one by Albert B. & Hampton Crandall, one by Kinney Brown, and one by Peter Keyes.
In 1853 the first steam sawmill was built by the Ennis brothers on the Genesee creek below the village. In 1855 it was burned but was at once rebuilt. It was undermined by the flood of 1861 and was never repaired. For 25 or 30 years lumbering was the principal business interest. The lumber was drawn from the mills to the Oswayo Creek where it was constructed into rafts which on the spring and fall floods were “run” down the river and marketed in Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, and other towns along the river, sometimes going as far as Cairo. Pittsburgh hands received in the early days twelve and thirteen and later fifteen to twenty dollars for the trip making it in from five to seven days, and the return trip in from four and a half to six days on foot. Cincinnati hands received $25 to $30, making the trip down in from ten to twenty days, returning to Pittsburg by boat and walking the rest of the way. Shaving pine shingles furnished the men employment on leisure days and in the long evenings and added something to the scanty incomes. They were taken to market on the rafts. Making “grubs” which were used in the construction of rafts was another industry for leisure hours, the finishing being frequently done by the kitchen fire after the day's work was completed. The last of the pine timber was cut some years ago; the hemlock is nearly gone and much of the hardwood. As the timber was removed the land was cleared for cultivation and at the present time dairying is the principle interest.
The Slade sawmill is located at Bowler Station, and was built in 1881 by W.M. and T.B. Love. Six men are employed and from 500,000 to 2,000,000 feet of lumber is produced annually. In 1885 Marcus E. and Jasper N. Slade purchased this mill and operate it.
The saw and planning mill at Ceres was built in 1895 by F.M. Van Wormer, in place of the one burned that year and built in 1890. The main building is 36 x 84 feet and three stories high. An addition 12 x 48 feet shelters the boiler and engine. The mill is supplied with new and modern machinery and is in every way greatly superior to the old mill.
Little Genesee cheese factory located about half a mile from Little Genesee, was built in 1870 by Ethan Kenyon. Charles A. Thompson purchased it in 1891, and in 1893 made 106 ,555 lbs. of cheese and used the milk of about 350 cows. The factory has a Babcock tester.
PHYSICIAN.-Ormond E. Burdick, M.D. (See page 235.)
OIL IN GENESEE.-The Bradford Era of Jan. 30, 1890, said: “The first test well was drilled on lot 42, commenced, in the fall of 1877 and finished the next spring. There was quite an amount of gas and a little oil. It is estimated that it would have been a five or six barrel well, but it was never operated. The next one was drilled on lot 28 in 1879 and was known as the Buffalo well, as the capital was furnished mostly by Buffalo men. A little oil was found. The first barrel of oil sold in the town came from this well and was bought for lubricating purposes. The next well was on lot 22, commenced in the fall of 1880 and finished in the spring of 1881. Some oil was found, but it was not operated until later. In the summer of 1881 the excitement commenced and wells were put down quite rapidly.” From the assessment roll for those years I find that in 1883 there were 467 wells; in 1887 there were 497, and in 1894, 348. Several wells, I think three, but am not positive, have been completed since the assessment of 1894 was made, and some ten or twelve including both oil and gas, are in process now (May, 1895,) some drilling, some putting up rigs. (The late boom in prices has largely stimulated production since.) In 1894 the Producers' Gas Co. was assessed with 15 wells, and the National Transit Gas Co. with 11 wells. The Home Gas Co. of Ceres, organized in 1892 has two wells, both in Genesee.
H.D. Witter, Esq., of Bolivar, wrote us May 19, 1895, thus: “If I am correctly informed the first well drilled in Genesee was drilled in 1879 or '80 up Streeter Brook on George Green's farm by one Scott, and it was thought that it would have been a fair well if it had been properly handled, although pronounced a failure by the parties who drilled it. Since this time the territory has been developed, and oil in paying quantities is the result, although they are light wells. The greatest amount of oil produced in the town at any one time was in 1882, when the daily run was 3,000 barrels, and the least in the year 1894, when the run averaged about 100 barrels. The main companies operating in the town were the McCalmont, Willets, Schofield, and Anchor Oil companies. There are two companies operating for gas in the town. The United Natural Gas Co. has drilled 15 wells here, and have pulled out three, leaving twelve producing gas.”
THE FIRST SEVENTH-DAY BAPTIST CHURCH of Genesee was organized July 9, 1827, by Elders Wm. B. Maxson, and John Green. The constituent members were Joseph and Lydia Maxson, Ezekiel and Susan Crandall, Henry P., Lucy, Amos and Esther Green, Joseph and Lydia Wells, Benjamin Maxson, Nancy Kenyon, Joel and Phebe Maxson. Henry P. Green, whom the Friendship church had licensed to preach, was chosen as leader. In 1831 he was licensed by this church, and in 1835 was ordained. He preached for the church for about 20 years, part of the time being the only preacher and part of the time preaching alternately with others. He remained a member of the church during his life, occasionally preaching, and often assisting in the services.* In the second decade of the church's existence, Edwin Stillman, Thos. E. Babcock, and perhaps others, preached alternately with Elder Green. In 1844 Rev. S.S. Griswold was called as pastor and served about 15 months. He was succeeded by Elder J.L. Scott who remained two years. Rev. James Bailey commenced his pastorate in 1848 and resigned in the fall of 1853. In May, 1854, Rev. Thos. B. Brown assumed the pastorate, discharging its duties for 23 years, when he resigned on account of declining health. The remaining two years of his life, although he was unable to perform pastoral duties, brought no decrease of his interest in and love for the church and its work. He was succeeded by M.S. Wardner who remained about three years. In November, 1882, Rev. Geo. W. Burdick came here as pastor, and remained 11 years. He was succeeded by Rev. S.S. Powell, the present pastor, in November, 1893.
The deacons have been, George Potter, chosen in 1828; Jairus Crandall, Dennis Saunders and Peleg Babcock, chosen in 1836; Joel Crandall and E.R. Crandall, chosen in 1856; Joel B. Crandall, chosen in 1876, and E.P. Burdick and S.B. Coon in 1887. The meetings were held in the homes of the members until 1835, then in the schoolhouse until the church was completed. The church was built in 1837 and 1838 at a cost of $2,400. It was dedicated in September, 1838, Rev.W.B. Gillette preaching the dedicatory sermon. In 1879 and 1880 the church was enlarged, remodeled and reseated at an expense of $1,800. It has seating capacity for 300. In 1886 a parsonage was built, and two or three
years later a parsonage barn. The estimated value of the church property is $5,000. In
*Rev. Henry P. Green was born in Hopkinton, R.I., in 1828 he settled on the farm on Windfall Creek where his son, T.H. Green now lives. His wife was Lucy Rogers. Children, Frances G. (Mrs. E.M. Crandall), Thomas H., Sarah A. (Mrs. Leroy Crandall), Mary J. Mr. Green was, as a pastor, much reverenced and beloved as a man and citizen.-EDITOR.
1831 revival meetings were held, Elders W.B.Gillette, John Green, Matthew Stillman, Henry P. Green, Spencer Sweet and others, took part. This resulted in the addition of some 25 members. In 1840 Elder Alexander Campbell conducted revival meetings when 46 were added to the church. Again, in 1857, under the pastoral labors of Rev. T.B. Brown, 46 were added, and, in 1865 and 1866, 27 were added. In 1870 and 1871 Revs. A. H. Lewis and G.J. Crandall assisted Pastor Brown in a series of meetings, when 63 united with the church. In 1878 Rev. A. H. Lewis was again called for evangelistic labor, and 52 members were added. During the last ten years there have been frequent additions to the membership, which consists of 187 resident and 44 non-resident members. A church prayer-meeting is held on Third-day and Seventh-day evenings. Weekly collections are taken for the American Sabbath Tract Society, amounting the past year to $111. The present officers are: pastor, Rev. S.S. Powell; deacons, E.R. Crandall; E.P. Burdick and S.B. Coon, (also J.B. Crandall, non-resident); clerk , A.L. Maxson; chorister, Dr. O.E. Burdick; organist, Miss M.E. Bowler. The Sabbath school was organized by Rev. James Bailey in 1848 or 1849, though previous to 1848 a Bible class had been held for a short period. Elder Bailey was the first superintendent. The school has at present about 235 members with 11 teachers. The officers for 1894 were: M.E. Bowler, supt.; T.B. Burdick, assist. supt.; Matt Coon, sec., Edna Hall, assist. sec., A.J. Crandall, treas.; O.E. Burdick, chorister; Alice Prindle, assist. chorister; Nettie Wells, organist; Margaret Burdick, assist. organist.
THE YOUNG PEOPLE'S SOCIETY OF CHRISTIAN ENDEAVOR was organized in November, 1888, with 30 active and 30 associate members. It now has 64 active and 24 associate members. The past year the society has raised $43 for evangelistic and missionary work. A weekly prayer-meeting is held. In May, 1894, a Junior Y.P.S.C.E. was organized with 18 members.
THE SECOND SEVENTH DAY BAPTIST CHURCH of Genesee was organized in 1834, most of the constituent members withdrawing from the first church for that purpose. Elder Henry P. Green was the first pastor, and Wm. Stillman and Rowland Crandall the first deacons. The church services were held alternately at Ceres and East Portville, or Main Settlement, for a few years, after that entirely at Main Settlement. About 1860 it disbanded and was reorganized in 1862 as the Portville Seventh Day Baptist Church.
THE THRID SEVENTH DAY BAPTIST CHURCH, now the West Genesee Seventh Day Baptist church, located on Dodge's creek, was organized with 12 members in 1834. In 1843 it was reorganized with these members, Edwin M. Crandall, John Sanders, Ethan P. and Electa Crandall, Orenzo Coon. Lindon, Cornelia and Narcissa Crandall, Betsey Smith, Hannah Childs, Sally Coon and Jane Reed. Rev. Henry P. Green was the first pastor. Revs. L.D. Ayers, P.S. Crandall, Z. Campbell, C.A. Burdick, J.C. West, G.J. Crandall, S. Burdick, J.L. Huffman, W.B. Gillette, W.H. Ernst, G.P. Kenyon, E.A. Witter and J.G. Burdick have served as pastors. The deacons have been Ethan P. Crandall, Arza Coon, James C. Brown, David E. Yapp, Charles Wilbur, J. Marshall Crandall and James H. Crandall. Church services were held in the schoolhouse until 1859, when the church was built at a cost of $1,600, and was dedicated in the fall of 1859, Rev. D.E. Maxson preaching the dedication sermon. The present membership is 15 resident and 10 non-resident members. D.E. Yapp and J.H. Crandall are deacons and J.H. Crandall is clerk. The Sabbath-school was organized January 1, 1867, with Rev. G.J. Crandall as superintendent. It now has 16 members with one teacher. The officers are Mrs. A.K. Crandall secretary, Bertha Lentz Treasure, A.K. Crandall chorister.
PHYSICIANS.-T he first one in the town was Dr. Enoch Maxson who must have come as early as 1829 and was for several years the only physician between Friendship and Olean. In the early forties he removed to Iowa. Since then there have been located in the town Drs. Sheffield Green, Clark Bailey, Edwin Burdick and Henry P. Saunders at Little Genesee; R. P. Stevens, C.D. Thompson, J.P. Boothe (for thirty years) Dorr Cutler, T. Ledyard, dentist, and perhaps others at Ceres. Of Genesee's sons there have entered the medical profession: Dr. Stephen Maxson deceased; Drs. W.W. Crandall located at Tellsville, J.C. Young at Cuba, H.R. Maxson at Nortonville, Kan., Delos Barber in California, A.E. Burdick at Manistique, Mich., O.E. Burdick at Ceres, N.Y., and Byron Cranston at Rudolph, Ohio.
MILITARY LIST.- When, in 181, the “War of the Rebellion” broke out , Genesee's “boys” with loyal patriotism responded to the call for troops. With a population of 963 in 1860, 130 of Genesee's citizens entered the service during the war; several families sending all their sons, numbering from one to five, and many families the husband and father to the defense of the Union. We give the names and regiments as found in the town record:
EIGHTY-FIFTH N. Y..-Hiram A. Adams, Everett Ackerman, Delos Barber, Edwin Beckwith, James S. Bissell, Gilbert Bixby, Jacob E. Brock, Addison A. Burdick, Silas G. Burdick, Henry C. Coleman, J. Marshall Crandall, Marcus M. Crandall, Floyd M. Crandall, George H. Case, Walter Crandall, Everett N. Crandall, Alphonso Childs, Joel B. Crandall, Lyman Deming, Edwin Doane, Edwin C. Foster, Hiram Grow, Henry C. Hall, Arthur J. Hall, Milford D. Hall, Martin Hill, John Holly, Corydon Humprey, Geo. Hadwin Irish, Wm. H. Jennings, Orson Lackey, Gurdon W. Lane, Ralph C. Langworthy, John Langworthy, Israel T. Lewis, Daniel Loop, Edwin Lucas, Thomas U. Martin, Marshal L. Maxson, Marion M. Maxson, Henry R. Maxson, Phineas V. Maxson, Joseph Maxwell, Horton M. Murphy, Isaac R. Parker, Wm. H. Perry, Hosea Palmer, Lyman O. Slade, Isaac R . Spencer, Wm. H. Stillman, Joseph D. Stillman, Albino R. Stone, I. Howard Stone, Charles Velie, Jared Wales, Winfield S. Wells, Fayette Withey, Phineas Woodmancy. TWENTY-SEVENTH N. Y.-Daniel B. Baxter, Charles Berry, William B. Bliss, Albert B. Champlin, Sebeus B. Coon, Delos Cornwall, John H. Crandall, M. Stillman Cranston, Dudley Dennison, Joseph B. Howe, Warren W. Jaques, Lafayette Jaques, Clinton R. Lewis, Henry D. Lewis, Winfield Quigley, Jerry K. Redding, John W. Stanton, George L. Utter, Daniel G. Weymar. ONE HUNDRED EIGHTY-NINTH N. Y. - Webster W. Cole, Joseph C. Cole, William Crandall, Thomas G. Crandall, Almond Robinson, Chandler R. Spencer. ONE HUNDRED EIGHTY-EIGHT N. Y.-James A. Swarthout, Henry D. Green. ONE HUNDRED FIFTY-FOURTH N. Y.-Martin V. Champlin, Augustus Franklin Keyes, Harris Lamb, Seymour Sykes, Wm. Spencer Tift. ONE HUNDRED THIRTY-SIXTH N. Y. - Andrew B. Brown, George H. Crandall, Frederick R. Spencer, Israel P. Spencer, W. Wallace Stannard. ONE HUNDRED NINTH N. Y. - Benj. Delmage, Palmer Hewitt, Chas. Henry Wales. ONE HUNDRED FORTY-SEVENTH N. Y. - James M. Kellar. ONE HUNDRED THIRTY-THIRD N. Y. - Orville P. Dana. ONE HUNDRED FORTIETH N. Y. - Edgar W. Wells. ONE HUNDRED FIFTH N. Y. - Julius J. Call. NINETY-EIGHTH N. Y. - Phineas Woodmancy. SEVENTY-FIRST N. Y. - Alvah S. Langley. FIFTY-SECOND N. Y. - Orson F. Maxson. TWENTY-THIRD N. Y. - Albert R. Crandall, James Hall, Morton L. Spencer, Frank M. Van Wormer. SECOND N. Y. - Luther J. Austin. FIRST N. Y. RIFLES. - Wm. Nelson Maxson. TWELFTH N. Y. CAVALRY. - John S. Champlin, Lewis Champlin, Allen Squire Hanks, Orson F. Keyes, Z. Prentice Maxson, Amos Parsons, H. Riley Smith. FIFTH N. Y. CAVALRY. - George R. Brown, Eli P. Brown. SECOND N. Y. CAVALRY, -- Wm. Henry Hall. 108th PENN.-Wright C. White. 190th PENN.-Floyd Holly. 1st. PENN. RIFLES.-L. Byron Danforth Chas. M. Austin. Regiment not given, Edward McDonald, Geo. A. Whit ford, Morton D. Crandall. NAVY. - Dewane D. Babcock.
Of this number four were killed in Battle; Marcus M. Crandall and Orson Lackey at Fair Oaks, Martin V. Champlin at Chancellorsville and Wm. N. Maxson at South Mountain. 14 suffered death at Andersonville; Addison A. Burdick, James S. Bissell, J. Marshall Crandall, Alphonso Childs, Lyman Denning, Geo. Hadwin Irish, Orson F. Keyes, Gurdon W. Lane, Joseph Maxwell, Hosea Palmer, Isaac R. Parker, Henry C. Rogers; Jared Wales, Chas. Henry Wales. Three died at Florence after being transferred from Andersonville; Floyd M. Crandall, Marion M. Maxson and Wm. H. Jennings. 13 died in hospitals of wounds or disease: Everett Ackerman, Wm. B. Bliss, Andrew B. Brown, Eli P. Brown, Julius J. Call, Lewis Champlin, Corydon Humphrey, Augustus F. Keyes, Edwin Lucas, Edward J. McDonald, Seymour Sykes, Chandler R. Spencer, Phineas Woodmancy. George R. Brown died at home while on a furlough and Milford D. Hall died at Elmira on his way home after being discharged at the close of the war. Many other “Genesee boys” who had been in employment in other places long enough to gain residence there were also to be found in the ranks.
33 non-residents also represented the town, either as substitutes or in response to the towns offer of $300 for each volunteer to fill the quota under the call of the President made Oct 17, 1863. Of most of these there is no record except the names, which are: Wm. H. Brightman, Chas. Bennett, Wm. Brown, David Class, Daniel Carlos, David Clark, Frank S. Dimond, John East, Alvin W. Kinney (who died at Andersonville), Henry Kirby, Richard Mattison, Clem Langworthy, James McMann, Patrick McDonald, Chas. Malizen, Jas. S. McCarty, Michael McGreevy, Sam'l McIntyre, Thos. McHenry, Edward Nichols, Louis Phillips, Samuel Pollock, Peter Rockafeller, Kingsley I. Snyder, Jas. Shawley, Harmon Smith, Joseph Tarball, wm. H. Van Wormer, Franklin B. Woodhiser, Henry Winship, Ransom Winters, George Wakley, Miner Wyckoff.
The first town meeting was held at the house of Benj. Maxson, April 27, 1830. The first town officers were: Benj. Maxson, supervisor; David Maxson, clerk; John Bell, Geo. W. Kenyon and Wm. Hooker, assessors; Jabez Burdick, collector; Horace H. Wilson and Riverious Hooker, com. of highways; Joseph Maxson and Joseph Wells overseers of the poor; Joel Crandall, Rowland Coon and Edwin Stillman, com. of common schools; Henry P. Green, Joel Maxson and Geo. W. Kenyon, inspectors of common schools; Jabez Burdick, Norry Hooker and Daniel Carr, constables; Ethan Kenyon, Joel Maxson, John L. Slayton and James Waterbury, justices.
SUPERVISORS. - Benj. Maxson, 1830; Hiram Wilson, 1831, '32; Wm. P. Langworthy, 1833, '34, '35, '39, '40, '47; Daniel Edwards, 1836, '37, '38, '67, '68; John Edwards, 1841; Asa A. Langworthy, 1842, '43, '44; Albert B. Crandall, 1845, '46, '52, '65, '66; Ralph H. Adams, 1849, '50, '51, '53; Alonzo B. Coon, 1854, '63, '64; Alexander H. Main, 1855; Francis W. Prindle, 1856, '57, '58; E.R. Crandall, 1859, '60, '87, '88; W.L. Bowler, 1861, '62; Walter Crandall, 1869, '70;A.N. Carpenter, 1871, '72; Thos. H. Green, 1873, '74; John J. Smith, 1875, '76, '89, '90; John H. Crandall, 1877, '78; Isaac Prosser, 1879, '80; H.A. Rose, 1881, '82; Foster S. Dickinson, 1883, '84; James H. Crandall, 1885, '86; Wm. R. Hill, 1891, '92; Irwin S. Bellamy,1893, '94, '95.
OFFICERS FOR 1895.-Supervisor, Irvin S. Belamy; clerk, Horace G. Prindle; justices, E.R. Crandall, C.A. Warner, Myron Irish, H.G. Prindle; assessors, George D. Monger, Thos. H. Brown, James B. Gray; collector, C.S. Jaques; com. of highways, Edwin Howard; inspectors of elections, Charles W. Fairbank, Thos. G. Crandall, E.B. Adams, E.R. Smith; constables, Welcome R. Maxson, Marcus E. Slade, Cortland S. Jaques, Albert E. Yapp, John Holley; excise commissioners, Edwin C. Foster, Albert K. Crandall, Joel P. Stillman.
Genesee has once, during the fifties, been represented in the state legislative halls, by A.H. Main, assemblyman.
There are seven school districts , to which is apportioned in 1896 $865.36, as follows: Dist. 1, $255.82; Dist. 2, $1.92; Dist. 3, $114.83; Dist. 4, $113.30; Dist. 5, $120.30; Dist. 6, $247.44; Dist. 7, $11.75.
[ PART 2 SOMETHING OF THE PEOPLE. ]
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- [S2193] paintedhills.org Ceres Hometown Feature, (Name: Painted Hills Genealogy Society (PHGS);), 1805 Ceres Trustees- Thomas Smith, - John Bell, Sr., - Samson Crawford, and - John C. Brevoost.
20190423HAv-
In 1805 John C. Brevoost was appointed Justice of the Peace. The Governor of Pennsylvania appointed as Trustees in November of the same year:
- Thomas Smith,
- John Bell, Sr.,
- Samson Crawford, and
- John C. Brevoost.
20190423HAv- http://www.paintedhills.org/MCKEAN/CERES/EarlyHistoryCeres.html
Early History of Ceres, NY- PA
First Permanent1White Settlement in the Area
by Dan Maxson
When Francis King came to this area2, he came as an agent of John Keating and others to explore a vast area of northern Lycoming County. Keating’s group was considering the purchase of an extensive purchase from William Bingham, Esq., if the lands were found to be suitable. His report was evidently suitable as Keating’s group purchased a large tract of land.
In the spring of 1797, Francis King engaged a few men and hired a boat. They set out for a previously selected area, which they named Ceres. They traveled down the east branch of the Susquehanna to Northumberland; then up the west branch to the mouth of the Sinnamahoning, which was the last white settlement (present-day area of Sinnamahoning). They then proceeded to Driftwood and then overland to Canoe Place (Port Allegany). Canoes were made and they traveled down the Allegheny to the mouth of the Oswayo (now Portville, NY), then up the Oswayo to Ceres. The original site for Ceres is approximately one mile south of its current location.
At the Ceres site, land was cleared, planted and a cabin erected. Further exploration revealed three families at Dykes Settlement (now Andover, NY) and two more families on Pine Creek in Tioga County, PA. These people were the Kings’ nearest neighbors.
In the Spring of 1798 Francis King brought his family to Ceres. In September of that year, Mrs. King (formerly Kathrine Kenway3) gave birth to a baby girl, who lived but a few months. This would be the first birth, death, and burial4 in what is now McKean County, PA.
The first sawmill was built in 1798 nearby. Remains of the old mill race to carry water to the mill may be seen upstream from the Barbertown Road.
A grist mill was added a few years later.
In the same year, the Society of Friends sent
- Joel Swayne,
- Halliday Jackson, and
- Henry Simmons
as missionaries to the Indians on the reservation. This was some 60 miles downstream from Ceres. In those early days, trips were made downriver to Pittsburgh for provisions. Mrs. King died shortly after one such trip in 1801.
Some of the earliest settlers who stayed in the area are as follows:
1802 - John Bell, his wife, his son, and his step children Thomas, John, and May Bee. Bell Run, Bell Brook, and Bee Hollow are area names that go back to these hardy pioneers.
The William Bell, who was the first settler in Ceres, NY (1817), was John’s son.
1802 - Thomas Smith, his wife Elizabeth and 4 sons Thomas, John, William, and Henry.
This family settled in the area of the current location of Ceres, PA.
1802 - William Lister. He settled in present day Myrtle, near John Bell, Sr.
Another early arrival to Ceres was William Ayers, his wife Mary, and three children.
Little is known of the Ayres family in Ceres, except that William purchased the only slave ever in Ceres.
This family probably removed to the Coudersport area about 1908. His family were the first white settlers in what is now Potter County.
In early October, 1803, snow fell and protected the crops such that the early settlers had fresh vegetables at Christmas. Later, the snow accumulated to five foot depths and resulted in a great flood in 1804.
Most of the early settlers of the area were English tradesmen.
Francis King was a surveyor and copper engraver. His surveying equipment is now in the possession of the Oswayo Valley Historical Society.
Thomas Smith was a miller,
John Bell was a cabinet maker, and
his son John was a saddle and harness maker.
James King was a tanner and currier. He built a tannery on Mill Creek (Kings Run), but hides were scarce and the tannery failed to be profitable. Many of the settlers to come were from England.
The previous history takes us into a new era for Ceres. The government changes,
Angelica was settled in 1801,
Olean was settled in 1804, and
Shinglehouse5 in 1806.
The population of Ceres Township in 1910 included 26 households and 147 individuals6.
Surprisingly absent from this census is M. Generet, who built the Shingled House. The address for early settlers was Cerestown, Lycoming County, until 1804 when McKean County was formed and Ceres was the only township in the county.
In 1805 John C. Brevoost was appointed Justice of the Peace. The Governor of Pennsylvania appointed as Trustees in November of the same year:
- Thomas Smith,
- John Bell, Sr.,
- Samson Crawford, and
- John C. Brevoost.
The first election was held in March, 1906, at which time
- Francis King and
- Samson Crawford were elected Supervisors of Ceres Township.
During the next 55 years Ceres Township became smaller as other townships were formed in McKean County.
The first recorded marriage in Ceres occurred in 1807 when John C. Brevoost united Nathan Horton and Sally Atherton.
This wedding was witnessed by area persons. Earlier marriages occurred, but the parties returned to the Philadelphia or Williamsport area and were married in accordance with the Society of Friends.
Ceres continued to grow with the lumbering industry. The early lumber was floated downriver to Pittsburgh and down the Ohio River. As the local white pine was removed, the hemlock was cut into more lumber and the bark was utilized in the tanning industry. Much of the bark was hauled downriver through Ceres to downstream tanneries.
In the late 1800s and early 1900s gas and oil industries became another area industry. The abundance of gas for fuel and suitable sources of sand (stone) gave rise to a glass industry in both Ceres and Shinglehouse. The railroads and the trolley passed through Ceres, adding to the growth. However, as the lumber was harvested and the wells drilled, there became less and less need for the railroads. The loss of the railroads, the demise of the timber, and several large fires all lead to the reduction of the size of Ceres.
Currently, Ceres is a small rural community with a minimum of activity and industry. One large sawmill and a gravel pit with a cement plant make up the area industry. The businesses consist of a lawn and garden center, a general store, a garage with car sales, a restaurant, and a produce market.
Painted Hills
This page is maintained by the PHGS
Last Update January 27, 2000
- [S80] Sheila Barr Helser, compiled by Betty Robinson, census 1820 USA PA McKean Ceres, (Name: C:\WINDOWS\Desktop\genealogy\Co, McKean PA\McKean County, early census data.doc;), total population of Ceres in 1810 = 142(!).
Bell John 0/ 1/ 1/ 0/ 1 0/ 1/ 0/ 0/ 1 i.e, 3 males (10-16), (16-26), (45+), 2 females (10-16), (45+)
- [S80] Sheila Barr Helser, compiled by Betty Robinson, census 1820 USA PA McKean Ceres, (Name: C:\WINDOWS\Desktop\genealogy\Co, McKean PA\McKean County, early census data.doc;), no kids at home, both husband/wife both 45+.
Bee Thomas 0/ 0/ 0/ 1/ 1/ 0 0/ 0/ 0/ 0/ 0 Bell John 0/ 0/ 0/ 0/ 0/ 1 0/ 0/ 0/ 0/ 1 Bell William 1/ 1/ 0/ 0/ 1/ 0 2/ 0/ 1/ 1/ 0
- [S2193] paintedhills.org Ceres Hometown Feature, (Name: Painted Hills Genealogy Society (PHGS);), Early History of Ceres, NY- PA, First Permanent1White Settlement in the Area- by Dan Maxson.
20190423HAv- http://www.paintedhills.org/MCKEAN/CERES/EarlyHistoryCeres.html
Early History of Ceres, NY- PA
First Permanent1White Settlement in the Area
by Dan Maxson
When Francis King came to this area2, he came as an agent of John Keating and others to explore a vast area of northern Lycoming County. Keating’s group was considering the purchase of an extensive purchase from William Bingham, Esq., if the lands were found to be suitable. His report was evidently suitable as Keating’s group purchased a large tract of land.
In the spring of 1797, Francis King engaged a few men and hired a boat. They set out for a previously selected area, which they named Ceres. They traveled down the east branch of the Susquehanna to Northumberland; then up the west branch to the mouth of the Sinnamahoning, which was the last white settlement (present-day area of Sinnamahoning). They then proceeded to Driftwood and then overland to Canoe Place (Port Allegany). Canoes were made and they traveled down the Allegheny to the mouth of the Oswayo (now Portville, NY), then up the Oswayo to Ceres. The original site for Ceres is approximately one mile south of its current location.
At the Ceres site, land was cleared, planted and a cabin erected. Further exploration revealed three families at Dykes Settlement (now Andover, NY) and two more families on Pine Creek in Tioga County, PA. These people were the Kings’ nearest neighbors.
In the Spring of 1798 Francis King brought his family to Ceres. In September of that year, Mrs. King (formerly Kathrine Kenway3) gave birth to a baby girl, who lived but a few months. This would be the first birth, death, and burial4 in what is now McKean County, PA.
The first sawmill was built in 1798 nearby. Remains of the old mill race to carry water to the mill may be seen upstream from the Barbertown Road. A grist mill was added a few years later. In the same year, the Society of Friends sent
- Joel Swayne,
- Halliday Jackson, and
- Henry Simmons
as missionaries to the Indians on the reservation. This was some 60 miles downstream from Ceres. In those early days, trips were made downriver to Pittsburgh for provisions. Mrs. King died shortly after one such trip in 1801.
Some of the earliest settlers who stayed in the area are as follows:
1802 - John Bell, his wife, his son, and his step children Thomas, John, and May Bee. Bell Run, Bell Brook, and Bee Hollow are area names that go back to these hardy pioneers. The William Bell, who was the first settler in Ceres, NY (1817), was John’s son.
1802 - Thomas Smith, his wife Elizabeth and 4 sons Thomas, John, William, and Henry.
This family settled in the area of the current location of Ceres, PA.
1802 - William Lister. He settled in present day Myrtle, near John Bell, Sr.
Another early arrival to Ceres was William Ayers, his wife Mary, and three children.
Little is known of the Ayres family in Ceres, except that William purchased the only slave ever in Ceres.
This family probably removed to the Coudersport area about 1908. His family were the first white settlers in what is now Potter County.
In early October, 1803, snow fell and protected the crops such that the early settlers had fresh vegetables at Christmas. Later, the snow accumulated to five foot depths and resulted in a great flood in 1804.
Most of the early settlers of the area were English tradesmen.
Francis King was a surveyor and copper engraver. His surveying equipment is now in the possession of the Oswayo Valley Historical Society.
Thomas Smith was a miller,
John Bell was a cabinet maker, and
his son John was a saddle and harness maker.
James King was a tanner and currier. He built a tannery on Mill Creek (Kings Run), but hides were scarce and the tannery failed to be profitable. Many of the settlers to come were from England.
The previous history takes us into a new era for Ceres. The government changes,
Angelica was settled in 1801,
Olean was settled in 1804, and
Shinglehouse5 in 1806.
The population of Ceres Township in 1910 included 26 households and 147 individuals6.
Surprisingly absent from this census is M. Generet, who built the Shingled House. The address for early settlers was Cerestown, Lycoming County, until 1804 when McKean County was formed and Ceres was the only township in the county.
In 1805 John C. Brevoost was appointed Justice of the Peace. The Governor of Pennsylvania appointed as Trustees in November of the same year:
- Thomas Smith,
- John Bell, Sr.,
- Samson Crawford, and
- John C. Brevoost.
The first election was held in March, 1906, at which time
- Francis King and
- Samson Crawford were elected Supervisors of Ceres Township.
During the next 55 years Ceres Township became smaller as other townships were formed in McKean County.
The first recorded marriage in Ceres occurred in 1807 when John C. Brevoost united Nathan Horton and Sally Atherton. This wedding was witnessed by area persons. Earlier marriages occurred, but the parties returned to the Philadelphia or Williamsport area and were married in accordance with the Society of Friends.
Ceres continued to grow with the lumbering industry. The early lumber was floated downriver to Pittsburgh and down the Ohio River. As the local white pine was removed, the hemlock was cut into more lumber and the bark was utilized in the tanning industry. Much of the bark was hauled downriver through Ceres to downstream tanneries.
In the late 1800s and early 1900s gas and oil industries became another area industry. The abundance of gas for fuel and suitable sources of sand (stone) gave rise to a glass industry in both Ceres and Shinglehouse. The railroads and the trolley passed through Ceres, adding to the growth. However, as the lumber was harvested and the wells drilled, there became less and less need for the railroads. The loss of the railroads, the demise of the timber, and several large fires all lead to the reduction of the size of Ceres.
Currently, Ceres is a small rural community with a minimum of activity and industry. One large sawmill and a gravel pit with a cement plant make up the area industry. The businesses consist of a lawn and garden center, a general store, a garage with car sales, a restaurant, and a produce market.
Painted Hills
This page is maintained by the PHGS
Last Update January 27, 2000
20190423HAv- http://www.paintedhills.org/MCKEAN/CERES/EarlyHistoryCeres.html
Early History of Ceres, NY- PA
First Permanent1White Settlement in the Area
by Dan Maxson
When Francis King came to this area2, he came as an agent of John Keating and others to explore a vast area of northern Lycoming County. Keating’s group was considering the purchase of an extensive purchase from William Bingham, Esq., if the lands were found to be suitable. His report was evidently suitable as Keating’s group purchased a large tract of land.
In the spring of 1797, Francis King engaged a few men and hired a boat. They set out for a previously selected area, which they named Ceres. They traveled down the east branch of the Susquehanna to Northumberland; then up the west branch to the mouth of the Sinnamahoning, which was the last white settlement (present-day area of Sinnamahoning). They then proceeded to Driftwood and then overland to Canoe Place (Port Allegany). Canoes were made and they traveled down the Allegheny to the mouth of the Oswayo (now Portville, NY), then up the Oswayo to Ceres. The original site for Ceres is approximately one mile south of its current location.
At the Ceres site, land was cleared, planted and a cabin erected. Further exploration revealed three families at Dykes Settlement (now Andover, NY) and two more families on Pine Creek in Tioga County, PA. These people were the Kings’ nearest neighbors.
In the Spring of 1798 Francis King brought his family to Ceres. In September of that year, Mrs. King (formerly Kathrine Kenway3) gave birth to a baby girl, who lived but a few months. This would be the first birth, death, and burial4 in what is now McKean County, PA.
The first sawmill was built in 1798 nearby. Remains of the old mill race to carry water to the mill may be seen upstream from the Barbertown Road.
A grist mill was added a few years later.
In the same year, the Society of Friends sent
- Joel Swayne,
- Halliday Jackson, and
- Henry Simmons
as missionaries to the Indians on the reservation. This was some 60 miles downstream from Ceres. In those early days, trips were made downriver to Pittsburgh for provisions. Mrs. King died shortly after one such trip in 1801.
Some of the earliest settlers who stayed in the area are as follows:
1802 - John Bell, his wife, his son, and his step children Thomas, John, and May Bee. Bell Run, Bell Brook, and Bee Hollow are area names that go back to these hardy pioneers.
The William Bell, who was the first settler in Ceres, NY (1817), was John’s son.
1802 - Thomas Smith, his wife Elizabeth and 4 sons Thomas, John, William, and Henry.
This family settled in the area of the current location of Ceres, PA.
1802 - William Lister. He settled in present day Myrtle, near John Bell, Sr.
Another early arrival to Ceres was William Ayers, his wife Mary, and three children.
Little is known of the Ayres family in Ceres, except that William purchased the only slave ever in Ceres.
This family probably removed to the Coudersport area about 1908. His family were the first white settlers in what is now Potter County.
In early October, 1803, snow fell and protected the crops such that the early settlers had fresh vegetables at Christmas. Later, the snow accumulated to five foot depths and resulted in a great flood in 1804.
Most of the early settlers of the area were English tradesmen.
Francis King was a surveyor and copper engraver. His surveying equipment is now in the possession of the Oswayo Valley Historical Society.
Thomas Smith was a miller,
John Bell was a cabinet maker, and
his son John was a saddle and harness maker.
James King was a tanner and currier. He built a tannery on Mill Creek (Kings Run), but hides were scarce and the tannery failed to be profitable. Many of the settlers to come were from England.
The previous history takes us into a new era for Ceres. The government changes,
Angelica was settled in 1801,
Olean was settled in 1804, and
Shinglehouse5 in 1806.
The population of Ceres Township in 1910 included 26 households and 147 individuals6.
Surprisingly absent from this census is M. Generet, who built the Shingled House. The address for early settlers was Cerestown, Lycoming County, until 1804 when McKean County was formed and Ceres was the only township in the county.
In 1805 John C. Brevoost was appointed Justice of the Peace. The Governor of Pennsylvania appointed as Trustees in November of the same year:
- Thomas Smith,
- John Bell, Sr.,
- Samson Crawford, and
- John C. Brevoost.
The first election was held in March, 1906, at which time
- Francis King and
- Samson Crawford were elected Supervisors of Ceres Township.
During the next 55 years Ceres Township became smaller as other townships were formed in McKean County.
The first recorded marriage in Ceres occurred in 1807 when John C. Brevoost united Nathan Horton and Sally Atherton.
This wedding was witnessed by area persons. Earlier marriages occurred, but the parties returned to the Philadelphia or Williamsport area and were married in accordance with the Society of Friends.
Ceres continued to grow with the lumbering industry. The early lumber was floated downriver to Pittsburgh and down the Ohio River. As the local white pine was removed, the hemlock was cut into more lumber and the bark was utilized in the tanning industry. Much of the bark was hauled downriver through Ceres to downstream tanneries.
In the late 1800s and early 1900s gas and oil industries became another area industry. The abundance of gas for fuel and suitable sources of sand (stone) gave rise to a glass industry in both Ceres and Shinglehouse. The railroads and the trolley passed through Ceres, adding to the growth. However, as the lumber was harvested and the wells drilled, there became less and less need for the railroads. The loss of the railroads, the demise of the timber, and several large fires all lead to the reduction of the size of Ceres.
Currently, Ceres is a small rural community with a minimum of activity and industry. One large sawmill and a gravel pit with a cement plant make up the area industry. The businesses consist of a lawn and garden center, a general store, a garage with car sales, a restaurant, and a produce market.
Painted Hills
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Last Update January 27, 2000
- [S1558] M.W. Mann & Maria King, History of Ceres and its near vicinity, from its early settlement in 1798 to the present, (Name: Olean, NY: Gillett & Weston, 1896;), 44.jb jr & sr.
"History of Ceres..." p.40- "Marth King had been married in the same way and place, to William Bell, a year before. Several years later, two more of these earliest settlers, John Bell and Jane King, were married, but had the ceremony performed by a Justice of the Peasce. These two last couples lived and died at Ceres. Both raise large families, the former being chiefly home-keepers, while the descendants of the latter have almost like Wickliffe's dust, 'spread abroad wide as the waters be'." pp. 52,53- "John Bell, Jr., was the first settlere on the New York side of the line. He took up land of the Holland Land Co. in 1817, and in 1818 built a large house, for the times, of hewed logs. In December of the same year he married Jane, fourth daughter of Francis King. In this house their thirteen children were born, twelve of whom lived to maturity, six sons and six daughters, the oldest, a son, dying in his infance. In 1846 he built, across the road from the old house, the house now occupied by R.R. Bell (Roland). Here he lived until 1875, when he passed quietly away, his wife having died two years before him. He was a hard working, industrious man, much more intelligent than the ordinary settlers, and eager that his children should be well educated. His wife was a woman remarkably well fitted for pioneer life, seldom being otherwise than cheerful and hopeful, and with the wonderful ability to find some resource out of the unnumbered perplexities that would constantly arise. She died at the age of 77. When the log house was built the road was near it, but on account of its overflowing in high water, it was moved to its present location, until near the brook, when it was taken a few rods up the hill, but was again changed, in the latter part of the forties or early fifties, to its present place." _______________________________
"History of Ceres..." p.40- "Marth King had been married in the same way and place, to William Bell, a year before. Several years later, two more of these earliest settlers, John Bell and Jane King, were married, but had the ceremony performed by a Justice of the Peasce. These two last couples lived and died at Ceres. Both raise large families, the former being chiefly home-keepers, while the descendants of the latter have almost like Wickliffe's dust, 'spread abroad wide as the waters be'." pp. 52,53- "John Bell, Jr., was the first settlere on the New York side of the line. He took up land of the Holland Land Co. in 1817, and in 1818 built a large house, for the times, of hewed logs. In December of the same year he married Jane, fourth daughter of Francis King. In this house their thirteen children were born, twelve of whom lived to maturity, six sons and six daughters, the oldest, a son, dying in his infance. In 1846 he built, across the road from the old house, the house now occupied by R.R. Bell (Roland). Here he lived until 1875, when he passed quietly away, his wife having died two years before him. He was a hard working, industrious man, much more intelligent than the ordinary settlers, and eager that his children should be well educated. His wife was a woman remarkably well fitted for pioneer life, seldom being otherwise than cheerful and hopeful, and with the wonderful ability to find some resource out of the unnumbered perplexities that would constantly arise. She died at the age of 77. When the log house was built the road was near it, but on account of its overflowing in high water, it was moved to its present location, until near the brook, when it was taken a few rods up the hill, but was again changed, in the latter part of the forties or early fifties, to its present place." _______________________________
- [S1558] M.W. Mann & Maria King, History of Ceres and its near vicinity, from its early settlement in 1798 to the present, (Name: Olean, NY: Gillett & Weston, 1896;), 42.
John Bell and his wife lived many years in the home they had made at the mouth of the stream still called Bell's Run. He was buried in a little plot of ground on the north shore of the stream, near his wife's grand-daughters, the Gilbert girls. It is now the Myrtle cemetery. He died in 1828. His wife survived him more than twenty years, and the wonderfully strong, vigorous constitiution, gave way to many of the ills that beset old age.
- [S1223] Ancestry.com, U.S., Quaker Meeting Records, 1681-1935, (Name: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc.; Location: Provo, UT, USA; Date: 2014;), Haverford College; Haverford, Pennsylvania; Minutes, 1799-1820; Collection: Philadelphia Yearly Meeting Minutes; Call Number: R3.20.1.
Record for Robert Gilbert
(6) facts
20250423GHLn- edited
U.S., Quaker Meeting Records, 1681-1935 for Robert Gilbert Lycoming, Pennsylvania
Pennsdale and Muncy Monthly Meetings
? Minutes, 1799-1820
U.S., Quaker Meeting Records, 1681-1935
Name Robert Gilbert
Marriage Place Lycoming, Pennsylvania
Residence Date 24 Jul 1805
Residence Date on Image 24 Seventh 1805
Residence Place Lycoming, Pennsylvania
Spouse Mary Bee
Event Type Marriage Intention
Monthly Meeting Pennsdale and Muncy Monthly Meetings
Type (Orthodox or Hicksite) Pre-Separation
Yearly Meeting Philadelphia Yearly Meeting
Meeting State Pennsylvania
Meeting County Lycoming
Others in Record Mary Bee
Pennsdale and Muncy Monthly Meetings ? Minutes, 1799-1820
The committee appointed on the request of John and Mary Bell- behalf of their children being admitted into membership- have complyed with their appointment to a good degree of satisfaction and are of the mind it may be right to allow their request and this meeting jointly with mens Meeting concurs herein.
Robert Gilbert and Mary Bee appeared at this meeting and expressed their intentions of marriage with each other. Elizabeth Whitely and Abigale Willson are appointed to make the needful enquiry respecting the young womans clearness from such like engagements and report to our next monthly meeting.
...
Muncy Monthly Meeting of Women friends held the 21 of the mo 1805.
The representatives were all present.
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US Quaker Meeting Records 1805- Robert GILBERT.jpg
20250505GHLn- edited
U.S., Quaker Meeting Records, 1681-1935 for Robert Gilbert Lycoming, Pennsylvania
Pennsdale and Muncy Monthly Meetings
? Minutes, 1799-1820
U.S., Quaker Meeting Records, 1681-1935
Name Robert Gilbert
Marriage Lycoming, Pennsylvania
Res 24 Jul 1805
Residence Date on Image 24 Seventh 1805
Lycoming, Pennsylvania
Spouse Mary… |
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Abt 1760 - 1828 (68 years)
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