Genealogical and Family History of Western New York, Volume I, Part 12

Author: Cutter, William Richard, 1847-1918
Publication date: 1912
Publisher: New York : Lewis Historical Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 680

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Robert Bryan, of Jamestown; Kate, married John Cowles. Children of Mr. and Mrs. Cowles : I. Kate, born 1859, died December 31, 1908; she was a well-educated woman and held the important position of bookkeeper for a large firm in Rochester, New York. 2. Wesley, born 1861, died August 19, 1900, a young man of great promise. 3. Minnie, born 1866, died November 4, 1894; she was a well-educated and lovable woman. Mrs. Cowles survives her husband and children and resides at 150 Bar- rett street, Jamestown, New York. She is a member of the Methodist church, and interest- ed in all good works. Despite her years she is active and maintains more than a passing interest in current affairs.

CLARK The progenitor of the Clark fam- ily and the first to settle in New York state was Watrous Clark. born in the state of Massachusetts in 1759. He served with his two brothers in the navy, during the revolution, they being both lost at sea. After the close of the war Watrous Clark removed to New York state, settling in Otsego county, where he followed farming until his death, in 1831. He was something of a work- er in iron and metal, having considerable in- genuity and skill with both. He made his own farming implements and did other such work as could be done with limited tools and material. He was a member of the Baptist church, and did not mingle in politics. He married, Sarah Saxton, of Columbia county, New York. Chil- dren : Three sons and five daughters.

(II) Lot, second son of Watrous and Sarah (Saxton) Clark, was born in Columbia county. New York, near Kinderhook, in 1788, died in 1862. He received a good common school education, studied law, was admitted to the bar, and, for twelve years, practiced his pro- fession in Norwich, Chenango county, New York, and, for several years, was district attor- ney for that county. Abandoning the law he became a promoter of large and important public enterprises, perhaps the most important being the original suspension bridge across the Niagara river, below the falls. He was the organizer of the company that built that struc- ture, and its president until his death, in 1862. He was a large landowner, being, at one time, one-third owner of a tract in the Empire state. and of several large tracts in states farther west. Politically he was an old-time Democrat and a power in his party. He was elected a

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member of the eighteenth congress, served in 1823-24. He was not in accord with his party upon the sub-treasury bill, and, in 1840, voted for Gen. William Henry Harrison for Presi- dent. He was the leader of the New York delegation in congress and very popular. In 1840 he became an intimate friend of . Henry Clay and other prominent Whigs. In 1846 he was elected to the New York legislature, where he forced an act for the enlargement of the Erie canal. When Andrew Jackson was Presi- dent he offered Mr. Clark a seat in his cabi- net, as attorney-general, but the honor was de- clined. He married (first) Lavinia, daughter of Daniel Crosby, born in Connecticut, re- moved to Broome county, New York, where he owned and tilled a large farm; he died in Chenango county, in 1820, aged eighty years. Children of Lot and Lavinia (Crosby ) Clark : Hiram Carter: Lot C., a lawyer of Staten Island, district attorney for eleven years, and private counsel for Commodore Vanderbilt for several years; Joseph B., removed to Detroit, Michigan, where he was alderman and promi- nent in public life; William C., removed to Illinois, where he owned a large landed estate.

(III) Hiram Carter, eldest son of Lot and Lavinia (Crosby ) Clark, was born at Norwich, Chenango county, New York, July 16, 1816, died July 25, 1891, and is buried in the town of his birth. He was educated in private schools and under private tutors. He was ap- pointed to a cadetship at West Point United States Military Academy, but resigned. From 1833 to 1837 he was associated with his brother- in-law. in the grocery business, at Augusta, Georgia. He then studied law and was ad- mitted to the bar of New York, in 1840. He practiced law in Norwich, and, in 1849, edited a history of Chenango county. In the same year he went to San Francisco, California, where he practiced law until 1865. In 1866 he returned to New York state and soon after- ward went abroad, spending six of the ensu- ing ten years in London, England. While abroad the columns of the San Francisco Daily Bulletin were enlivened by regular correspond- ence from his facile pen. Returning from England, in 1871, he located in Jamestown, New York, devoting the remainder of his life to literary recreation, travel and newspaper correspondence. While residing in Augusta the Seminole war broke out and Mr. Clark enlisted in the Richmond Blues, a famous military organization, and served six months

in the United States army, receiving for his services one hundred and sixty acres of land. It was by his pen, however, that he gained prominence. He was one of the most prolific newspaper correspondents of his day. Among an interesting collection of his papers are many letters from prominent men of the earlier day. He possessed strong personal political convic- tions, but never sat in a political convention, never asked for himself nor ever assisted an- other to obtain a nomination, in fact kept absolutely aloof from politics. He regarded the law as a full occupation for any man with- out an admixture of politics. His finely-train- ed mind was a rich storehouse of facts, and he was a most delightful companion. His reminis- cences of public men and events would have made a most interesting book.

He married (first), November 23, 1857, Mrs. Sarah Thompson, born in Nottingham, England, died 1869. He married (second), in 1871, Jane, daughter of Samuel Dickson, of New York, of Scotch parentage.

(The Dickson Line).

(I) Jane (Dickson) Clark descends in the third generation from George Dickson, born in Smallholm, Scotland, September 30, 1755, died at Windsor, New York, January 30, 1846. He came from Scotland. settling near Boston, Massachusetts, in 1761. He was a farmer and a millwright, having a water power and mill on his farm. He was a soldier. After the revolutionary war he settled in Washington county, New York. He married, May 4, 1780, Eunice Greenleaf, born 1760, died September 15, 1839. Children : George, born July 4, 1781 ; Eunice, August 14, 1783; Susanna, September 3, 1785 ; John M., February 6, 1788; Elizabeth, May 4, 1790; Stephen, August 13, 1792; Will- iam, April 17, 1795; Nancy, August 4, 1796; Alexander, October 14, 1798; David, February 27, 1801 ; Samuel, of further mention.

(II) Samuel, son of George and Eunice (Greenleaf) Dickson, was born in the town of Salem, Washington county, New York, March 16, 1805, died March 16, 1861. He was reared on the farm and educated in the district schools of Salem. He learned the trade of carpenter, and followed it at Windsor, New York, dur- ing his earlier years. He removed to Norwich, Chenango county, New York, where, for fif- teen years, he was superintendent of the wood- working department of the Maydole Hammer Factory, then a prominent Norwich enterprise.

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He was held in high esteem by his associates and attained prominence in the town. He was a Democrat in politics and served as school commissioner. He was a member of the Ma- sonic order, belonging to lodge and chapter. In religious faith he was an Episcopalian, and a strictly good man. He married, January 28, 1831, Eliza Ann Schiffer, born September 29, 1807, died November 22, 1889, daughter of Philip and Nancy (Church) Schiffer. Philip Schiffer was born 1784, died 1862; married, November 3, 1806, Nancy Church, descendant of Richard Church, born in England, 1610, died at Hadley, Massachusetts, December 16, 1667; married Ann Weatherfield, and had issue. Samuel, son of Richard Church, was born in 1640, had Samuel (2), born August 19, 1667, had Nathaniel, born February 7, 1704, had Eber, born December 14, 1734. had Josiah, born July 22, 1761, died March 21, 1821 ; married Comfort Robbins, born Febru- ary 27, 1766, died June 27, 1854; children : Robert, Nancy, Elizabeth, Jeremiah, Jessie, Francis, Mary Ann, William, Harry and John. Nancy, eldest daughter of Josiah and Com- fort (Robbins) Church, married Philip Schif- fer. Eliza Ann, daughter of Philip and Nancy Schiffer, married Samuel Dickson. Children of Mr. and Mrs. Dickson : I. Henry Schiffer, born September 3, 1835, died March, 1871 ; he was a soldier of the civil war, enlisted in the Forty-fourth New York Volunteer Infantry, served his full term of enlistment and six months on a second term. 2. Jane, of further mention. 3. George M., born August 28, 1848; married Martha Willson ; child, Mabel C., born April 28, 1875.

(III) Jane, eldest daughter of Samuel and Eliza Ann (Schiffer) Dickson, married Hiram Carter Clark. She survives her husband and resides in Jamestown. A member of her house- hold is her niece, Mabel C. Dickson, daugh- ter of her younger brother, George M.

Paige is a later or- PAIGE-DICKERSON thography of the name Page, which was first taken as a surname by one who was a page to a royal or titled person.

The American ancestor of the family, herein recorded, is Nathaniel Paige, who came from England to Duxbury, Massachusetts, about 1685, with wife and three children. The earli- est trace of him is found in his deposition that, on the 10th of March, 1685-86, he saw Joseph

Dudley take peaceable possession of certain real estate in Billerica, Massachusetts. On the organization of a town government, June 2, 1686, he was appointed, by President Joseph Dudley, one of the two marshals (sheriffs) of Suffolk county, and it was ordered that the president "have an honorable maintenance, when it is known how the revenue will arise, and that Mr. Paige have five pounds a quarter for his attendance upon the President." He was also licensed by the county court of Suf- folk, August 2, 1686, as an innholder in Rox- bury. He was one of the eight original pur- chasers from the Indian sachems, December 27, 1686, of the territory now embraced in the town of Hardwick, Massachusetts. A month afterward the same persons, together with Ralph Bradhurst, in like manner, bought the territory now embraced in the towns of Leices- ter and Spencer. These purchases were merely speculations, however, and brought no pecuni- ary benefit for many years. For immediate use he bought of George Grimes, March I, 1688, a farm of two hundred and fifty acres, in the town of Billerica (now Bedford), where he resided during the remainder of his life. The inventory of his estate indicates that he was a prosperous farmer. His lands were valuable, were well stocked with all kinds of farm animals, and among his possessions was "a serving man," valued at fifteen pounds. His real estate at Billerica, and his wild lands, he devised to his two sons (a double portion being given to the elder), and two hundred acres he owned in Dedham, near Neponset bridge, was divided equally between his two daughters. Whether he was in Boston on business, on a visit or for medical aid does not appear, but he died in that city, April 12, 1692. His will, dated on the day preceding his death, describes him as "of Bilreky in the County of Essex, New England, yeoman, being weak and sick of body," and is signed "Natt Paige," in an un- usually plain and distinct handwriting.

He married Joane , who survived him until 1724. Children : 1. Nathaniel, married Sus- anna, daughter of Major John Lane, of Bill- erica, he was a farmer, selectman, cornet of a troop of horse and prominent in the towns of Billerica and Bedford, after the incorporation of the latter. 2. Elizabeth, married John Simp- kins. 3. Sarah, married Samuel Hill. 4. Chris- topher, of further mention.

(II) Christopher, youngest child and second son of Nathaniel and Joane Paige, was born in

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Billerica (now Bedford), February 6, 1690. He was a farmer and a joiner, and resided on the easterly road to Gilbertville. He removed to Hardwick early in 1735. He was active in the management of the common property of the proprietors, and in the final effort to ob- tain incorporation as a town. He was a mod- erator of the first town meeting, held in Hard- wick, 1739, selectman for seven years and as- sessor five years. He was also moderator of all the meetings the proprietors held in Hard- wick. At the organization of the church, No- vember 17, 1736, his name stands first on the list of members, and he was elected, December 3, 1736, as its first deacon. This office he re- signed, April 13, 1749 (and probably his mem- bership also), and became a member of the church at Nitchwaug, now Petersham. This. caused a breach between the two churches, which was not healed for twenty years. He died March 10, 1744. An obituary, published in the Massachusetts Gazette, March 31, 1744, says : "At Hardwick, Deacon Christopher Paige, aged eighty-three years and twenty-one days, comfortable hope of a better life; he left a widow and has had twelve children, nine now living and three dead, eighty-one grandchil- dren, sixty-six living and fifteen dead. A fu- neral sermon was preached by the Reverend Mr. Hutchinson, at his funeral the Monday following." Deacon Paige married (first) Jo- anne -- , died October 27, 1719. He mar- ried (second) Elizabeth, daughter of Deacon George (2) Reed, and granddaughter of George (1) Reed, who was born in England, about 1729, and great-granddaughter of William Reed, who married Mabel Kendall, and came from England, in 1635, with wife and three children, later returned to England, where he died in 1656. Children of Deacon Christopher Paige: Joanne, Christopher (2), William, George, Timothy, Jonas, Elizabeth, Lucy, Na- thaniel, John, Elizabeth (2) ; but eleven chil- dren are recorded, although the obituary says twelve.

(III) George, fourth child and third son of Christopher and his second wife, Elizabeth ( Reed) Paige, was born in Billerica, Massa- chusetts, June 17, 1725. He was a farmer and resided on a farm, adjoining the homesteads of his father and his brother William. He died May 8, 1781. He married, June 4, 1752, Ro- silla, daughter of Nathaniel Whitcomb. She was noted for her industry and energy. She survived him and married (second) Captain

William Breckinbridge, of Ware, whom she also outlived. After his death she returned to Hardwick, resided on the homestead, with her son Paul, until her death, October 29, 1807. Children : Nathaniel, George, Nathan, Paul, Peirce, Anna.

(IV) Nathan, third son and child of George and Rosilla (Whitcomb) Paige, was born in Hardwick, Massachusetts, August 7, 1762. He removed to Royalton, Vermont, where he died. He married, April 25, 1784, Hannah Cobb. Children : Alfred, a physician; William, Otis, Nathan, Lucius, Edward, Betsey, Hannah. It is said there were two more daughters who probably died young.

(V) Otis, third son of Nathan and Hannah (Cobb) Paige, was born in Vermont, about the year 1800, died at Ellington, Chautauqua county, New York, at the age of seventy-five years. He removed from Vermont to Elling- ton and there purchased a farm of one hun- dred acres, where he lived the remainder of his days. He was a member of the Congre- gational church, and held the office of deacon for forty-one years. He was a man of quiet domestic tastes, and is remembered by his chil- dren as never having spoken to them an un- kind word. He married Mary Bigelow, born in Vermont, daughter of Rev. Bigelow, a minister of the Methodist Episcopal church. She died at the age of eighty-five years and left behind her a precious memory. They were the parents of eleven children, three of whom died in infancy.

(VI) Sarah, daughter of Otis and Mary ( Bigelow) Paige, was born at Ellington, New York, June 25, 1840. She married Benjamin S. Dickerson, born at Spring Creek, near the city of Corry, Pennsylvania, January, 1826, died at Jamestown, New York, April 16, 1901, and is buried in Lake View Cemetery. He was a son of Samuel Dickerson, who came to Spring Creek from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Ben- jamin S. was one of three sons, Joseph, Ben- jamin S. and William. He was but seven years old when his mother died, and he went to live with strangers. His first home was not a pleas- ant one and he endured a great deal of ill treat- ment and hardship until he met Captain Alex- ander, of Frewsburg, who took him into his home and reared him as his own son, a kind- ness which was never forgotten by the lad. At the age of sixteen years he came to Jamestown and learned the trade of a tailor, which he followed in that city for twenty-seven years.

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He invested in land, which was afterward laid off in city lots, upon which he built a residence, at 1021 North Main street, now the home of his widow. He was a member of the Meth- odist Episcopal church in early married life. He was a man of good business ability and highly respected in his community.

He married (first) Ellen Williams. Chil- dren : Herbert, who died at the age of thirty- five years, and Frank, died in childhood. He married (second) Sarah Paige. Children : I. Ellen S., born February 8, 1866, died Febru- ary 30, 1886; married Arthur A. Lee; she was finely educated and a musician of ability ; no living issue. 2. Frank B., born February 2, 1869, died aged eighteen months.

GRISWOLD The Griswolds of Connecti- cut, from whom the Gris- wolds of Jamestown. New York, descend, are descendants of Edward and Matthew Griswold, who settled in Windsor, Connecticut, 1639. Their English home was at Kenilworth, county of Warwick, England. They were men of education and property, and after their arrival in the new colony took com- manding positions and became prominent in colonial affairs.

(I) Edward Griswold was born about 1607, died at Kenilworth, Connecticut, 1691. He was deputy from Windsor and from Kenil- worth for more than twenty years, was fre- quently a commissioner, and, in 1678, was on a committee to establish a Latin school in New London, and was the first deacon of Kenil- worth (now Clinton) church. He married (first). 1630, in England, Margaret who died August 23, 1670. He married (sec- ond) Sarah, widow of James Bemis. Eleven children.

(II) John, eleventh child of Edward and his first wife, Margaret Griswold, was born and baptized August 1, 1652. He removed from Windsor to Kenilworth, where he died Au- gust 7, 1717. He was a man of property, in- telligence and influence ; deacon in the church.

He married (first) Mary who died October 27, 1679 ; married (second ) Bathsheba -, who died March 19, 1736. Fifteen children.

(III) Daniel, fourteenth child of John and his second wife, Bathsheba Griswold, was born in Kenilworth, Connecticut, October 25, 1696. He married, March 9, 1721, Jerusha Stevens. Three children.

(IV) Daniel B., eldest son of Daniel and Jerusha (Stevens) Griswold, was born 1722: married, October 22, 1750, Mary Bushnell. Twelve children.

(V) Daniel (2), eldest son of Daniel B. and Mary ( Bushnell) Griswold, was born Janu- ary 17, 1756, died about 1795. He came to New York state and owned land, now the site of the city of Utica, New York. For a time he was a resident of the town of Cambridge. Washington county, New York. He married - Horton (or Houghton ), and had issue. (VI) Daniel (3), son of Daniel (2) Gris- wold, was born in Cambridge, Washington county, New York, September 28, 1788, died 1854. He was a clothier, and learned the cording business. During the war of 1812 the first cording machine was set up, and, to pre- vent the British from capturing it, he took it to Vermont. He came to Genesee county, New York, about 1820, where he owned lands at what is now the city of Utica, which he inherit- ed from his father. About 1832 he settled in the town of Poland, Chautauqua county, where he engaged in farming until his death. He settled on lot No. 24, on the Ellington town line, where he engaged in lumbering, in connec- tion with his farm. He was an old-line Whig. and held several of the town offices. He mar- ried (first), in Burlington, Vermont, May 25. 1815. Mary Hills, born at Upton, Massachu- setts. November 25, 1795, died at the town of Poland, New York, September 24, 1844, daugh- ter of Moses Hills, a native of Massachusetts. He married (second) Mary Bentley. Children. all by first wife: Mary L., Hiram H., Sarah. Fannie, Elvira, Daniel.

(VII) Daniel (4), son of Daniel (3) and Mary (Hills) Griswold, was born in the town of Perry. Wyoming county, New York, Feb- ruary 18. 1830. He was fourteen years of age when his mother died, and shortly after he commenced life for himself. He obtained a good common school education, and, after working for some time on a farm, began buy- ing scythes, snaths, window sashes, doors, and other manufactured articles. Loading his pur- chases on a flat boat, when spring opened he floated his Yankee notion boat down the Alle- ghany. Ohio and Mississippi rivers, as far as Memphis, Tennessee, disposing of his cargo at the different river towns, being well sold out by the time he arrived at Memphis. He con- tinued this line of business for several years. until the breaking out of the civil war. His

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17. 1756, died about 1705. He came to New York state and owned land. now the -11. of the city of Utica, New York. For a time he was a resident of the town of Cambridge Washington county, New York. He marrie.i -- Horton for Houghton ). and had issue ( VI) Daniel (3), som of Daniel (2) Girl wold. was born in Cambridge. Washington counts, New York, September 28. 1788. die !! !8 ;; He was a clothier, and learned the to: Jeg business. During the war of 1812 tie 1 ... I cording machine was set up, and, to pre - Gent the British from capturing it he took i. t , Vermont. He came to fioresee county. No.

ofk. about :820, where he owned lands at what is now the city of U'tica, which he inher;1- .! from his father. About 1832 be settled in the town of Poland, Chautauqua county, where he engaged in farming until his death. li. ettled on lot No. 24. on the Ellington town. n., where he engaged in immbering, in connec hon with h's farm. He was an old-line Winyy: and held several of the town offices. He mar. ried thirst ). in Burlington, Vermont, May _5. 1815. Mary Hills, born at Upton, Massache- setts. November 25. 1705. die l at the town ... Poland. New York, September 24. 1844. daugh - to" of Moses Hills, a native of Massachusetts- He married ( second) Mary Bentley. Chilate .. ali by first wife: Mary I ... Hiram H .. Sarah. ! : nme. Elvira, Daniel.

(VII) Daniel (4), son of Daniel 43) and Mary ( Hifi-) Griswold, was born in the town of Perry, Wyoming county, New York, Fet ruary T8. 1830. He was fourteen years of age when h's mother died, and shortly after ix commented tite for himself. He obtained a good common school education, and. af .. - working for some time on a farm, began buv- ing scythes, -maths, window washes, dors, and other manufactured articles Leading his par- chases in a flat boat, when spring opened :.: f.a . 11, - Yankee notion boat down the Alle gratis. Chio and Mississippi rivers, as far as Memphis, Tennessee, disposing of his carga. at the different river towns, being well sold out by the time he arrived at Memphis .. lie con- tinned this line of business for several years until the breaking out of the civil war. This

Daniel Griswold.

---

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last cargo was of potatoes, which he had hard work to dispose of, but fortunately obtained a letter to the quartermaster of the Union army, at Parkersburg, West Virginia, who gladly purchased the entire cargo. He sold his boat and returned to New York state, where he en- gaged in the lumbering business, which he still continues. In 1888 he purchased the Prender- gast tract, in partnership with his brother-in- law. William Townsend. In 1905 he purchased the lumber business of D. L. Sullivan. In addi- tion to other property Mr. Griswold owns a half interest in a farm of nine hundred and seven acres, known as the Prendergast farm, which is located in Pennsylvania and New York. He was senior member of the lumber- ing firm of Griswold & Townsend, of Kian- tone, Chautauqua county, New York. In 1881 ne was elected a director of the Chautauqua County National Bank, and, May 8, 1890, was chosen president, which position he held for several years. In 1871 Mr. Griswold removed to Red House, Cattaraugus county, New York, and, in 1873, settled in Jamestown, where he has ever since resided. He has led an active. energetic life, has been very successful in business, and gives little evidence of his eighty years. He is a Republican in politics, and has always taken an active interest in public affairs. From 1865 to 1869 he was supervisor from the town of Poland. In 1884-85 he represented the town of Ellicott, and, in 1886, was chosen one of the supervisors from the city of James- town, and later served on the board of public works of the city.

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Genealogical and Family History of Western New York, Volume I, Part 12

Author: Cutter, William Richard, 1847-1918 Publication date: 1912 Publisher: New York : Lewis Historical Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 680

Author: Cutter, William Richard, 1847-1918
Publication date: 1912
Publisher: New York : Lewis Historical Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 680