USA > New York > Chenango County > Smyrna > Early years in Smyrna and our first Old home week > Part 3
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Ruth Allen, a sister of Chester, married Thomas Sweet, father of the late Leroy C. Sweet, and Marsena, a brother, mar- ried Hannah, a daughter of John Percival, a volunteer in the Revolutionary army from Lee, Mass. Their son, Samuel P., was born in Smyrna in 1814, and with no advantages save the common schools, established a wide reputation. In his early years, he taught the school at Sherburne Four Corners, later ris- ing rapidly to distinction, filling many responsible positions, serving as County Clerk of Livingston County, N. Y., ed- itor and proprietor of the Livingston County Republican, assist- ant editor of the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle, and at one time was connected with the Chenango Telegraph, in company with the late Hon. B. Gage Berry, of Norwich.
NOAH WOOD, of Somers, Ct., bought at Enfield, in that state, on the 17th day of December, 1798, a tract of land in Chenango County some two miles below the present village of Earlville, known for many years thereafter as the Wood farm. Noah married Asenith Calkins, of Somers, a woman of
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Early Years in Smyrna and
sterling character, who governed more than a generation in hon- esty and integrity, as she had the entire care of her nine children, the oldest being only sixteen years of age when the father died. The present house was raised July 3, 1812, and Mr. Wood's death occurred next day from apoplexy. Of their children, Noah, who became a resident of Syracuse, N. Y., and Asen- ith, now deceased, were born in Connecticut. Julius was born in Smyrna in 1799, growing to be a man of true Christian character, whose principles were deeply inculcated in the minds of his children, and reached out to those with whom he came in contact. For many years he was a Deacon of the Congregational Church of Smyrna, of which he was a leader and the last original member. In politics he was a strong Republican, one of the first to espouse the cause of anti-slav- ery in which he was followed by all his sons.
Hemarried Amanda, a daughter of Captain Joseph Billings, who became a fond wife and a devoted mother, whose memory will be always revered by her children as well as by all who knew her. Of their ten children, Devolson, the oldest, after leaving the village school, graduated at the Normal School at Al- bany, and afterwards finished a course with high honors at the Institute of Technology, at Hoboken, N. J. As an instruc- tor, writer and author he was widely known, and was no doubt the most distinguished scholar who ever went out from Smyrna. In 1859 the University of Michigan conferred upon him the de- gree of Master of Science. The same year he received the degree of Master of Arts from Hamilton College, at Clinton, N. Y.
Hudson A. was an instructor in the same school, with his brother, also an author of several text books. He was a member of the 61st Regiment, in the War of the Rebellion, and after its close was frequently called upon to deliver interest- ing talks to many different encampments of the Grand Army of the Republic. His beaming face, always so pleasant to those whom he met, showed out his abundance of good nature, and he
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Our First Old Home Week
was true to the principles taught him early in life. He gave much of his time, to the betterment of the Chinese in New York City, and spared no pains to do good in helpfulness to many others. He died at Mt. Vernon, N. Y., September 28, 1903. Pomeroy died a few years since on the farm left him by his father, and where he lived for many years. Helen, the oldest daughter, married O. L. Munn of Chicago, who was a teacher all his early life, later a produce dealer in Chicago and spending his last years at Flushing, Mich. Amelia married David L. Buell of Union City, Mich., and Abi married Ira Buell of the same place, and both are now deceased. Celia A. became the wife of N. A. Beecher, a teacher and extensive nurs- eryman of Flint, Mich., who very ably represented his district for four years in the Michigan Legislature. Emogene H. mar- ried Warren Hicks, a farmer and teacher at Waumego, Kansas, and Frank, the youngest son, also resides at that place, and like his brothers, has taught many terms of school and has long been interested in Sunday School work.
The grand children of Julius Wood have nearly all retained the time honored principles of that worthy family, helping to fill the list of teachers, missionaries, preachers and workers in the cause of humanity. None of this prosperous family (except Julius, the son of Pomeroy) are now residents of Smyrna, but though gone from among us, the influence of the family has not been lost on the community.
THE TALCOTT FAMILY. In the year 1799, the last year of the Eighteenth Century, the Talcott family of English descent came to Smyrna, and the descendants have ever since been resi- dents of the town. Joshua Talcott, who was born at Bol- ton, Ct., in 1776, bought the farm of Joseph Porter, our first settler, their log house standing in the center of a two hun- dred acre timber lot. The only way out of it was by a blazed trail, but as soon as a road was laid out a more comfortable and commodious house was erected. Mr. Talcott was known as one of the best citizens of the town, upright in his dealings with his fellow townsmen and was held in the
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Early Years in Smyrna and
highest regard by all. He married Sarissa Taylor, of Vermont, and eight children were born to them, all of whom now are de- ceased. Julia married and moved to Joliet, Il1., where her death occurred at an advanced age; Sarissa became the wife of the late Smith A. Cleveland, an honored and respected citizen of New Hartford at the time of his death; Olive married Eli Felt, a son of Asa Felt, one of the early settlers of North Carolina, carrying on an extensive cotton plantation; Henry P. was a worthy citizen of Wellsville, Steuben County, settling there in 1843; Joshua, Jr., was born in Smyrna in 1808 but passed away in the vigor of his manhood in his 23rd year; Sally A. was an invalid and a great sufferer, spending the most of her life at the old homestead but later moving to Joliet, where her death occurred at the home of her daughter in 1874. Three of the children passed away in their early years.
Leman H. succeeded his father upon the homestead and by additional purchases became possessed of a large and valuable farm. He was twice married, his first wife being the ac- complished daughter of Obadiah Spencer, an early resident of the town and a sister of the late Woodbridge Spencer. Her death occurred some two years after the marriage leaving an in- fant daughter, now our greatly esteemed friend and neighbor, Mrs. Ann Talcott Chapman, wife of the late S. S. Chapman, the only remaining member of the Talcott family in the town. All our citizens will sincerely hope for her a long life and a most pleasant one, and that all her remaining years may be spent in the town of her nativity. Her only child and son, William L. Chapman, now grown to manhood, lives near the old home with his most excellent wife, Mary L., a daughter of Bradley Wilcox of Earlville, and he is a most worthy scion of the family, having earned the highest re- gards from all with whom he is acquainted.
Mr. Talcott subsequently married Aurora, a daughter of Phi- lo Holcomb, an early resident of the town of Plymouth, an excellent woman, affectionate, neighborly and sympathetic, always ready to render aid in cases of sickness and suffer-
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LEMAN H. TALCOTT.
Our First Old Home Week
ing. Leman was a popular citizen, a man of most strict integrity, perhaps best known among members of fraternal circles in which he had many friends. He was a member of Smyrna lodge, No. 116, I. O. O. F., and was said to have been installed as treasurer of that organization for thirty consecutive terms. He was also a member of Sherburne Lodge, No. 444, F. & A. M., and Harmony Chapter, No. 151, R. A. M .. of Norwich, and also Norwich Commandery, No. 46, K. T., of Norwich. His death occurred December 9, 1895, at the age of 85 years. His funeral was conducted by Sherburne Lodge, F. & A. M., all the above organizations acting as escort.
Joshua Talcott died at the homestead January 8, 1867, at the age of 90 years. Nearly all the family are buried in the Talcott lot in the West Burial Ground at Smyrna.
Harvey Talcott, a brother of Joshua Talcott, and also an early settler of the town, built the house so long known as the Sweet homestead in this village. An enterprising citizen, he entered the mercantile business in the Elmore building, now the Hayward house, continuing there until 1837, when he built the store used many years by the Dixons, and con- ducted his business in that store until his decease in 1848. He was also the owner of several farms in this vicinity and was one of the first trustees of the village of Smyrna, and instrumental in its incorporation. His wife was Mary Wal- lace and they both came from Connecticut, the family consisting of several children, among them Dwight, who moved to Chica- go and became at one time closely interested with Potter Palmer and Hutchinson in real estate and live stock business in Chicago's early days; Philura married Benjamin Hartwell, an excellent citizen of our town for many years, concern- ing whom more will be found in another portion of this volume; Amelia C. married our former well-known and respected towns- man Leroy C. Sweet; Mary married James O. Ransom, once in business in the present Nearing store. Two sons survive them at Hammondton, N. J .- Harvey and Frank, who will be pleasantly remembered by many. Maria married the late Na-
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Early Years in Smyrna and
than P. Wheeler of Norwich, N. Y., and later of Chica- go; and Charlotte married Thomas Miller. They are both living at Chicago, their husbands being now deceased.
We regret our inability to give a more extended notice of this interesting family so long residents of the town.
ISAAC BILLS came from Bennington, Vt., in 1800 with Lucy Dix Bills, his wife, a cousin of General John A. Dix of the regular army and later Governor of the State of New York. They built a log house on their new farm, then a wilderness, now known as the Niles farm near Upperville, and lived and died there, he having reached the age of 88 years, she the age of 86. Of the family were five daugh- ters, each living more than their allotted three score years and ten, as follows: Miranda Dix, Lucy, the wife of the late Rowland Tefft, both of whom died at St. Charles, Mich .; Artheusa Ames, Elvira Niles and Emily Niles whose death occurred at the original Bills homestead some three years ago. The homestead is now occupied by Wells and Burt Niles, who are grandchildren of the original purchaser.
THE SIMONS FAMILY is one of the oldest in our town and the descendants have been well known. They came here about the beginning of the Nineteenth Century, bring- ing with them a high standard of character and sterling integrity. Joseph Simons was born at Lebanon, Windham County, Connecticut, on the 23d of May, 1757, where he grew to maturi- ty and married. Soon after he came to the new country of New York settling on the present Simons farm, which has since been in the family name, and is now owned by a grandson, J. Bennett Simons, a life-long resident of the town.
The old Simons log house was located not far from the pre- sent farm house, on the site of the fine apple orchard now upon the place. In 1807 Mr. Simons represented the County of Chenango in the State Legislature, filling the office to the satisfaction of all his constituents, and was elected Supervisor of the town in 1809, the year following the division of the
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Our First Old Home Week
town of Sherburne, and the interests of the new town were said to have been most excellently cared for, to such an extent that always thereafter he was held in the highest esteem by all his townsmen. He was twice married, and had one son, Cyrus, born August 5, 1779, who married Nancy, a daughter of Jared Bennett, born December 21, 1800, and who died at the Simons homestead December 24, 1891, in her 91st year.
Of their children, Wells was born October 11, 1824, and died in his nineteenth year. Obed C. was born May 11, 1829. He married Diadema Walker and both are still with us at a good old age. Their only child and daughter is Flora M., the wife of our townsman, Lynn F. Williams. Jared B. was born June 19, 1831, and still retains the ownership of the original Simons farm. His first wife, Cordelia E., a daughter of the late Gard- ner Butts, left one son, Merton C., who with his wife and fam- ily remain with the father upon the farm. His second wife was Mahala Fradenburg, by whom are one son and two daughters. Hoyt W., of Falls Village, Conn., and two daughters, Alice and Grace, the latter the wife of William Ryan, of Oxford. Jerome Simons was born May 31, 1833, and married Phoebe Williams of Sherburne. Both are now deceased. One son was born to them, Cyrus Wells, who with his family of four children resides at the old home in Smyrna village. Parthena was born June 15, 1838, and married Tilly Harrington. They are now re- spected residents of our village. A son and a daughter once graced their home, but are now deceased. Olive Simons was born June 2, 1827, and married Augustin Pier, a leading citizen. Both are now deceased. Many of the Simons family rest in the East Burial Ground in this village.
ELDER COMFORT RECORD removed over a century ago from Rhode Island to Smyrna, where he made his home during a long and useful life of eighty-two years. He was a plain man of the primitive style, a preacher of the Baptist persuasion, who could both earn his bread by skilled labor and feed his flock with the Bread of Life. Specimens of his handiwork, and memories of
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Early Years in Smyrna and
his sermons, are among the carefully cherished treasures of those who, in childhood, regarded his stately form and pleasant face and voice with admiration and reverence. He was a "Comfort" indeed to those enjoying his visitations on festive occasions, or in the hour of bereavement, at the homes where his genial pres- ence was ever welcome. The late pastors Corey and Earle, of the Baptist church in Smyrna, both of whom became noted evangelists later in life, very gladly in the early days availed themselves of the wise counsel of "Father Record."
Mr. Record was a staunch Whig, always casting his vote for the candidates of that party. He had one daughter and a son, and after the death of his wife his declining years were spent with his son, J. Sheffield Record, who reared a family of five sons and two daughters. One of them was William C., a life long and respected resident of our town, whose death occurred in October, 1904. He is survived by his wife, a sister of the late Clinton G. Sherman, and one son George S., who with his fam- ily remains upon the farm. Other children of Sheffield Record were Adolphus and Frank, both once well known here, Robert, a member of the 61st Regiment, N. Y. S. V., in the war of the re- bellion, now at Otselic with his family, and Orlando W., the youngest son, a successful teacher at Smyrna Union School in the sixties, and later at Norwich Academy, now a well to do citizen of Thayer, Kansas. His wife was Emma, the youngest daughter of the late Rowland Tefft.
CHESTER HAMMOND came to Smyrna very early, settling on the farm once known as the Brooks farm, now owned by Walter Gardner. Here he lived many years, a leading citizen, and one of the original members of the First Congregational Church, doing more to build up and sustain that organization than any other man, and a deacon of that church from its first formation until he removed from the town. After selling his farm, he moved to Union City, Michigan, then a new state, and at once took a leading position, organizing a new Congrega- tional Church, which has since been known as a daughter of the Smyrna Church.
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Our First Old Home Week
With his broad, enterprising spirit, he soon found his way to the hearts of the people in that vicinity, and was elected Judge of the Court, for which his talents and impartiality eminently qualified him. He filled many offices of trust and profit in the state of his adoption. He had six sons and three daughters of whom one son and one daughter were buried in Smyrna.
Of the sons, Charles G., the eldest, made a national reputa- tion. Henry L. was an eminent clergyman and married Jane, a daughter of the late Dr. Nicholas B. Mead, for many years a leading physician of Smyrna. Andrew T. was many years cashier of one of the largest banks of Hartford, Ct., where he died many years ago, and no doubt all the Hammond family are now deceased.
Next west of the Hammond farm, the one long owned by J. Monroe Billings, was settled by JOSEPH ECCLESTON, said to be a good citizen, a kind neighbor, and excellent farmer, rearing a large family and later moving to Cortland.
THE SWEET FAMILY. Just west of this farm, was the Sweet farm, until recently owned by one of the descendants of the original owner. John Sweet settled on this farm very early, though concerning him or his family we are able to learn but little. At his decease the farm was occupied by his son Thomas Sweet, said to have been a prosperous farmer, accumu- lating a considerable fortune. He married Ruth, a daughter of Marsena Allen, with whom he lived a life of usefulness, and at its close both were laid at rest in the old family burying ground upon the farm. They had one son, Leroy C. Sweet, born Octo- ber 19, 1825, who became a leading citizen, always standing for the interests of the town and community in which he resid- ed, endearing himself to all by many acts of neighborly kind- ness. In politics he was a Democrat and a prominent leader of the party in the town and county.
On February 16, 1847, he married Amelia C., a daughter of Harvey Talcott, a most estimable woman, a faithful wife, and a fond mother. She was always interested in matters pertaining
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Early Years in Smyrna and
to the welfare of her native town and its people, always remem- bering and seemingly much enjoying referring to old residents and friends, and whether they were in adversity or prosperity, interesting herself in their welfare. Probably no other person knew of the whereabouts of as many old Smyrnaites as did Mrs. Sweet.
The death of a young daughter, Kittie, during the fifties, and of the oldest son, Thomas H., a young man of most brilliant promise, whose death took place on June 19, 1868, in his twen- tieth year, saddened the hearts of this worthy couple for many years, and their sorrow was never fully effaced. Mr. Sweet's death occurred June 27, 1886, and that of his wife January 5, 1903, and both are buried in the cemetery at Sherburne West Hill.
They are survived by two sons and one daughter. Dwight L. is a staid and sturdy citizen, his wife being the only daughter of the late Robert H. Willcox. They have one daughter, Kate A., a graduate of Norwich High School, and later a graduate of the Boston School of Physical Training, now a successful teacher of that art at East Orange, N. J.
Their son, Clinton R., a most excellent young man, closed his earthly career on the 11th day of May, 1893, in his nine- teenth year. His death was a sad and lamentable loss to the family and friends.
Fred. Allen Sweet, the youngest son, is an extensive dealer in cattle and who resides at the Sweet homestead. He married Adellah, the youngest daughter of Franklin D. Coy, now de- ceased, and they have one son, Franklin Leroy, now in his eighteenth year. Congratulations are now in order for Mr. Sweet and his new wife, Miss Maude Cashman, the oldest daugh- ter of our village merchant, the happy event that joined them taking place at the home of the bride on the evening of Septem- ber 27th.
Mary A., the daughter of Leroy and Amelia C. Sweet, married Irving J. Colwell, a son of Spencer Colwell of Sherburne, and they
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LEROY C. SWEET.
Our First Old Home Week
have one young son, Howard, and an infant son, Robert. Their home is in the city of Auburn, this state.
FRANCIS REYNOLDS owned a small house and lot nearly opposite the Sweet farm, where he lived many years, passing away at a good old age. Among his numerous children were the late Van Rensselaer Reynolds, an excellent farmer and worthy citizen of Sherburne Hill. Harriet, the oldest daughter, married Wilson Youngs, a well to do farmer of the town of Ply- mouth, who later lived at Smyrna village; and Jane, a maiden lady, who lived many years in Smyrna where she had many friends.
BENJAMIN REYNOLDS settled on a farm south of the Sweet farm, living there many years previous to his death. He was a Quaker of the Hicksite persuasion and a kind hearted neighbor respected by all. Among his children were Oliver, a long time resident of our town, who spent his latter days in Sherburne; and Calista, the youngest daughter, who first married a gentleman named Willcox, and after his decease, became the wife of the late Francis E. Dimmick.
ARNOLD BRIGGS settled on the farm south of the Benjamin Reynolds place, and was said to have been one of the best citi- zens of the town and none was more highly respected. A lead- ing member of the Society of Friends, adorning his profession with a well ordered life, he was a kind neighbor having great sympathy for all in affliction. He had six children as follows: Marvin the oldest, who married Orel Allen, a noble woman, a sister of the late Chester Allen and of the mother of the late Leroy C. Sweet; Myron, who married Phila Ackley, a daughter of Samuel Ackley, a respected settler of that neighborhood, spending the most of his life in Smyrna, but later buying the old Lathrop place in Sherburne, where he and his wife passed the remainder of their days; and Ruth, who married a gentleman named Race, of Sherburne, who died in the prime of his life. Mrs. Race, together with her sisters, Lavinia and Averena, who married Benjamin Stover, made their home in Smyrna for many years. They were faithful members of the Friends Church
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Early Years in Smyrna and
and were highly respected and most excellent neighbors as the writer can truthfully testify.
RUFUS BRIGGS settled on the farm south of Arnold's farm, and like his brother was a leading and worthy member of the Society of Friends, living and dying on the farm where he first settled. He was three times married and had fourteen children, all now deceased. His farm is now owned and occupied by Edgar L. Close.
GEORGE BIXBY owned the farm south of the Rufus Briggs farm, on which he built a small distillery as has been before stated. Mr. Bixby was a jovial old gentleman, kind hearted and generous, and was missed when he afterwards sold his farm to Isaac Foote and Jethro Hatch and moved to Cattaraugus County.
SAMUEL CARVER was one of the earliest settlers in the town, settling on a farm on the hillside, east of the present Bailey farm, still known as Carver Hill.
CHARLES KELSEY settled on a small farm adjoining the Car- ver farm, and was said to have been a very kind and generous neighbor, having several children. The farm was later pur- chased by Thomas Gooch, who died there at an advanced age. He was said to have been a fine, portly old gentleman, a Quaker and one of the best of neighbors and friends. At his decease his heirs sold the place to Roswell Reynolds who resold it to other parties, and it is now included in the farm of Henry Bailey now of Norwich.
SAMUEL ACKLEY settled on the farm now owned by Nelson Cole. He built one of the first saw mills in town, which was greatly appreciated by the early inhabitants. It stood beside a small brook which had its rise on the Rufus Briggs farm, and was fed mainly by a cold spring. His mill pond was stocked with speckled trout and in its pure, cold water they rapidly mul- tiplied, growing to an extremely large size. The same brook has ever since been a favorite place for trout, and retaining the name of "Ackley Brook." Mr. Ackley sold his farm to Thomp- son Fisher, and it is now the property of Floyd W. Brooks.
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Our First Old Home Week
SAMUEL KELSEY, a brother of Charles, settled on a farm south of and adjoining the Ackley farm. He was a good neigh- bor, an earnest christian man and a member of the Baptist Church of Smyrna. He was elected Justice of the Peace for many years, and finally sold his farm and moved to the western part of the state. He had six children. Julius Kelsey the only one to remain in the town, was engaged in the grocery business for many years, subsequently purchasing a hotel and continuing in that business until his death in the spring of 1864. The old building still stands, a relic of the past, a quaint old structure. Only a few will remember it when it was a hostelry, and recall its weather beaten sign, "J. Kelsey, Inn." In this building in the forties was "Washington Hall," and in the sixties and seventies the same rooms were used by the Odd Fellows and Good Tem- plars. Here in the days gone by elections were held, and on such occasions occurred the old time wrestling matches, and, in the road in front, the games of old-fashioned base ball, which will be most pleasantly remembered by the boys and young men of those days.
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