USA > New York > Genealogical and Family History of Western New York, Volume I > Part 33
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(The Perkins Line).
Ella (Perkins) Thomas is a daughter of Sep- timus Perkins, who died Saturday, March 10.
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1906, at the age of ninety-four years, five with the Presbyterian church, although of re- months, thirteen days. Mr. Perkins was a re- markable man, possessing that sturdy physical nature which was the natural endowment of the period in which he was born. On the morning of his death he arose as usual and shaved himself. At three o'clock he waved his hand at a friend who passed the window and within ten minutes prior to his death walked across the floor. Death came quietly as he sat in his chair at about 5:15 Saturday afternoon, probably from heart trouble, but naturally from a general giving away of the LEWIS physical powers. He remarked the day be- fore that he was wasting away and had but a brief time left. He was born in Windsor, Broome county, New York, September 27, 1811, and came to Jamestown in 1837, where he afterward resided. At the time of his death he had probably lived longer in the city than any other resident, although others had at- tained greater ages. He was a hatter by trade, and after serving seven years as an apprentice conducted a business at the present site of Nordstrom's jewelry store on Main street, where he manufactured and sold silk, fur and other kinds of hats for many years. He was a charter member of the Ellicott Hook and Lad- der Company and made the first hats worn by the company.
Mr. Perkins married Eunice N. Crosby, of Brattleboro, Vermont, who lived until 1901 after having enjoyed sixty-two years of mar- ried life. Two children survive: Mrs. Martha Root and Mrs. George Thomas, both of James- town, and three grandchildren: Frank, Clara and Lura Thomas. Mr. Perkins lived with his daughter, Mrs. Thomas, at 345 Foote avenue. He was a staunch Republican and voted for nineteen presidents, beginning with Andrew Jackson the second time he was a candidate. After his retirement from business he spent his time during the summer in raising plants and vegetables, deriving much pleasure from his garden. A Journal reporter called on him on his ninety-fourth birthday and found him a well-preserved man: During the fall he be- gan to decline, his walks grew shorter, and a week before his death he was out of the house for the last time, having in his walk that day suffered a severe attack of heart trouble. His parents attained long lives, and he was the last of the family. He was one of the first active members of the Jamestown Fire Com- pany. He was formerly actively connected
cent years on account of difficulty in hearing he took no part in its affairs. Eunice N. Cros- by was born June 5, 1812, at Brattleboro, Ver- mont, died May 21, 1901. At about twenty years of age she came to Jamestown where, September 1, 1839, she was married to Sep- timus Perkins, with whom she lived for sixty- two years. They had three children, two of whom died in infancy, and one, Mrs. G. W. Thomas, is still living.
This is one of the oldest names in English history, and one of the most numerous and distin- guished in American history. It is claimed by many genealogists that the name was orig- inally spelled Louis, and was known in France as early as the eighth century, when that coun- try was a part of the Roman Empire. Geneal- ogists also attempt to establish the fact that all of the Lewis name in America descended from one common stock of Huguenot refugees who fled from France on the revocation of the Edict of Nantes in 1685; but the records show that in many counties of England there were many of the name to be found centuries be- fore that event, and, indeed, there were many of them in Virginia previous to 1685. The name of Louis in continental Europe and Lewis in England is too old and too numerous to be traced to a common origin. The name doubtless had a common origin, but it would be worse than useless to attempt to trace it. Indeed, the name Lewis is too numerous in America, too widely dispersed and traceable to too many different sources to admit of any "common origin" theory even here. It is as- serted that General Robert Lewis was the first of the name in America known to his- tory or genealogy. He was a native of Brecon, Wales, and came here in 1635, with his wife Elizabeth, sailing from Gravesend, Eng- land, in April of that year and settling in Gloucester county, Virginia. These facts are all denied, and even his existence is doubted. But the proofs are substantial, and he may be accepted as a fact. The records of Massa- chusetts Bay colony name Humphrey Lewis in May, 1629. William Lewis and his wife and only son William came to Boston in 1632 in the ship "Lion." The family is exceedingly numerous in New York, there being several Lewis Associations, and a periodical published called "The Lewis Letter." In the Mohawk
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Valley, David Lewes kept an inn near Schenec- tady in 1713. Lewis county, New York, is named in honor of Major-General Morgan Lewis, of French ancestry, son of Francis Lewis, a signer of the Declaration of Inde- pendence. He was a famous general of the revolutionary and 1812 wars with Great Brit- ain and governor of New York 1804-07, de- feating Aaron Burr.
(I) The Chautauqua county branch of the family came to New York state from Vermont, where Enos Lewis resided in Rutland county. He was born April, 1773, died April 26, 1861, in his eighty-ninth year. His wife Eunice was born 1772, died May 15, 1862.
(II) Parrin, son of Enos Lewis, was born in Rutland county, Vermont, April 2, 1803, died January 29, 1890. He was well educated in Vermont and learned. the cabinet-maker's trade. In 1832 he settled in Chautauqua county, New York, where he conducted a farm and worked at his trade. He married (first) October 27, 1825, Emily Francis, born Novem- ber 30, 1806, died November 25, 1826; (sec- ond) February 7, 1827, Laura Cook, born De- cember 8, 1803, died January 30, 1892, daugh- ter of Francis and Laura Cook, of Hamburg, Erie county, New York. Francis Cook died 1810, leaving a widow and seven children at the home in Hamburg. During the war of 1812 their home was visited by the Indians. Laura was sent by her mother to summon help, but it was not until after the burning of Buffalo in 1813 that the family were reunited. Children of Parrin and Laura (Cook) Lewis : I. Emily, born February 18, 1828, died Sep- tember 26, 1839. 2. Cherlina, March 23, 1830; married (first) Dr. John R. Bush, (second), William Walrodt. 3. Martha, December 20, 1831, died September 1, 1849; married Moses Bush. 4. Alta, September 12, 1835; married Rev. Austin D. Bush. 5. Eunice, December 7, 1837, died October 27, 1840. 6. William Henry, April 2, 1840; living at Winterset, Iowa. 7. Parrin Francis, of whom further. 8. Ellen, born October 24, 1846; married James Knapp. 9. Charles Albert, born July 5, 1849; living at Freeland, Michigan.
(III) Parrin Francis, son of Parrin Lewis, was born in Jamestown, New York, May 26, 1844. He was educated in the public schools of Panama and Jamestown Academy, spend- ing his years of minority working with his father on the farm. At the age of twenty-one he apprenticed himself to a tinsmith of Pan-
ama, thoroughly learning the tinner's trade. He went to Columbus, Pennsylvania, after serving his years of apprenticeship, where for two years he worked at his trade and con- ducted a small hardware store. He sold out his Columbus business and located in Frews- burg, New York, establishing there in the hardware business, remaining sixteen years. In the fall of 1884 he sold his Frewsburg store, and for the next eight years was en- gaged in the hardware business at Russell, Pennsylvania. In 1893 he located in James- town, New York, and erected a store build- ing at 804 North Main street, where he has since been engaged in business. He has led an active, successful life, and is a most excel- lent man of business. He is a Baptist in re- ligion and a Republican in politics. He mar- ried Alcena, born in Panama, New York, daughter of Ambrose Blackmer, of Panama. Children : Charles Francis, of whom further ; Clinton M.
(IV) Charles Francis, eldest son of Parrin Francis and Alcena (Blackmer) Lewis, was born at Columbus, Erie county, Pennsylvania, February 8, 1869. When quite small his par- ents removed to Frewsburg, New York, where he was educated in the public schools. He learned the trade of tinsmith under his father, and has followed that business up to the pres- ent date (1911). In 1893 he was admitted to a partnership with his father who, with his two sons, Charles F. and Clinton M., comprise the firm of P. F. Lewis & Sons. Their store in Jamestown is one of the best equipped and stocked hardware establishments in Western New York. The partners are all capable men of business, conducting each department of their large business along the best modern lines. Charles F. Lewis is a member of the In- dependent Order of Odd Fellows, belonging to Mt. Tabor Lodge, and of the Knights of the Maccabees, of Russell, Pennsylvania. He is a Republican, but takes no active part in pol- itics. He married April 25, 1890, Margaret B. Briggs, born June, 1870, daughter of Wil- liam and Louise (Gron) Briggs, the latter born in Sweden. William Briggs (deceased) was a lifelong resident of Russell, Pennsyl- vania. He was a carpenter, and a part of his life was spent in rafting logs to the down-river mills and markets. He was a Democrat and very active in public affairs. His brother. Gerry Briggs, served in the Union army during the civil war. He had three children : Charles
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N., of Bradford, Pennsylvania; John E., of Jamestown, New York ; Margaret B., married Charles Francis Lewis. Their children: I. Josephine, born November 7, 1881, graduate of Jamestown high school. 2. Harry, born December 19, 1893. 3. Glenn, June 22, 1897. died young. 4. Louise, born June 1, 1905.
This is a name frequently NEWTON found in early New England annals. The probable ances- tor of this branch of the family is Thomas Newton, of Fairfield, Connecticut. There is no direct connection that can be traced from him to Major William, but descendants of Thomas settled in Albany county, New York, and it is supposed that from there they spread into Western New York. Thomas Newton was one of the four men who came to Fair- field in 1639 with Deputy Governor Ludlow. In 1644 he was elected deputy to Fairfield, and was chosen one of the magistrates of the general court. In 1650 he became involved with the authorities of Connecticut and was imprisoned, but escaped to Long Island. Being received and "entertained into office" by the Dutch of Long Island, his surrender was de- manded and became the subject of negotia- tions between the commissioner of the United English colonies and Governor Stuyvesant, which extended over several years. In 1653 he was "schout fiscal" (sheriff ) of Middleburg, Long Island, and in 1655 a landowner there. Beyond 1656 he is not traced. He died prior to May 28, 1683. He married April, 1648, at Flushing, Joan, daughter of Richard Smith, who was "admitted at the towne of New Port since the twentieth of the third month, 1638," and settled at Wickford, in Narragansett about 1638. Richard Smith was a prominent man of his day, according to the testimony of his friend Roger Williams. It is recorded that Thomas and Joan Newton were married by the sheriff, William Hark, against the consent of the bride's parents, "and without being law- fully authorized to do so by the supreme au- thority, as this is an indecent and never-heard- of manner of marrying." The sheriff was dis- missed from office, fined six hundred carolus guilders and the marriage was declared null and void. The bride and groom were fined three hundred guilders and ordered to have their marriage solemnized after three previous proclamations of the banns, "which was ac- cordingly done." The much-married couple
had one daughter and three sons: Israel, James and Thomas. It is most evident that from one of these sons Major William New- ton descended.
(I) Major William Newton was a resi- dent of Chautauqua county, New York, a farmer and lumberman, living in the locality now known as Ross Mills. Later he moved to Pennsylvania, where he purchased land, built a sawmill and continued his lumbering opera- tions at the village of Newtontown, Crawford county, the village taking his name. In his last years he returned to Chautauqua county, where he died. His title was probably gained by service in the militia. He was twice mar- ried, but the names of his wives have not been preserved in the family. He had issue by both: Mary and William by the first, and among the children by the second wife, Ed- mond and Amos.
(II) Amos, son of Major William New- ton, was born about 1820. He lived in Elli- cott. Chautauqua county, in his early days, but accompanied his father and family to Pennsylvania, and lived at Newtontown, where he died aged forty years. He was in- terested in the mill and timber lands with his father, and after his death his family disposed of their share and returned to Chautauqua county. He was respected by all his neigh- bors. He married Mary Ann Ross, born 1818, died 1907. She was a devoted member of the Adventist church, and a woman of strong character. Children: Charles, William (de- ceased), Laura, Margaret (deceased), Charles and George R., of whom further.
(III) George Ross, son of Amos Newton, was born at Hidetown, Crawford county. Pennsylvania, September 19, 1852, died May 1, 1889, and is buried at Ross' Mills, Chautau- qua county, New York. He spent his early life at Newtontown, and was educated in the public school. He was sixteen years of age when his father died, and he then came to Chautauqua county with his mother and the other children. They settled at Ross' Mills and George completed his studies in the James- town high school. He became a farmer, oc- cupying the old dwelling for many years, later erecting a new house on the farm in which he lived until death. He was a Republican in politics. He was fond of his home and fam- ily, was a good neighbor and well liked by his townsmen. He was a strong advocate of the cause of temperance. He held membership in
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the Ancient Order of United Workmen. He married April 10, 1878, at Ross' Mills, Corrie A. Conic,, born at Falconer, New York, Sep- tember 5, 1859, daughter of David Preston and Sarah (Sherwin) Conic. Children: I. Marjory C., born August 22, 1879, graduate of Jamestown high school. 2. Nellie G., born June 5, 1882, graduate of Jamestown high school, and for about four years taught in Jamestown schools. Both daughters, with their mother, belong to the Methodist Episcopal church. 3. William, of further mention.
(IV) William Smith, only son of George Ross Newton, was born at Ross' Mills, Chau- tauqua countv, New York, February 25, 1884 He was educated in the public schools of Jamestown, and early in life developed a strong business instinct. He sold papers on the streets when ten years of age, and at thir- teen was clerking in a grocery store before and after school hours and on Saturdays. After leaving school he became clerk in the grocery store of Ingerson Brothers, remaining until he embarked in business for himself. He formed a partnership with Frank Field, but after one year purchased his interest and has since been in business alone. His grocery is located on West Third street, where he has been in successful business since 1905. He is a member of the Presbyterian church, the Sons of Veterans, the Eagles and formerly of the Ellicott Hook and Ladder Company. In politics he is a Republican. He married at Jamestown, October 8, 1907, Clara, daughter of George W. and Ella (Perkins) Thomas. (See Thomas family in this work.)
(The Conic Line).
The progenitor of this family in the United States was James McConic, whose father came from Scotland. The name was first shortened by omitting the "Mac," then other letters were dropped until the name became "Conic." James married Hannah ( Armstrong) Scowden. Children : De Witt Clinton, Ephraim, David Preston, Julia and Jane. James McConic re- moved from Central New York to the town of Falconer, Chautauqua county, where he died in 1866.
(III) David Preston, son of James Mc- Conic, was born at Falconer, New York. He spent his early life on his father's farm, later learning the trade of carpenter and millwright. In 1862 he enlisted in the Seventh Company of Sharpshooters, One Hundred and Twelfth
Regiment New York Volunteers, and served three years. After the war he returned to Jamestown, remaining until 1873. He then removed to Ross' Mills, where he died, De- cember 14, 1889. He was a Republican in politics.
He married December 24, 1856, Sarah Sherwin, who survives him and resides with her also widowed daughter, Mrs. George Ross Newton. Children : 1. Kate E., born January 14, 1858, married February 21, 1877, Wil- liam W. Smith, and resides in Jamestown: children living, Leon, George and Florence. and Mabel (deceased), who married Frank Wilcox. 2. Corrie A., born September 5. 1859, married George Ross Newton.
This branch of the Sheldon SHELDON family springs from William Sheldon, of England, who settled in the state of Vermont. He married and had issue.
(II) Mason, son of William Sheldon. was in early life a resident of Vermont. having been born there January 7, 1804. He is buried with his wife at Clear Creek, New York. He left Vermont in early life and set- tled at Farmington, Pennsylvania, where he followed his trade of harness-maker. In 1830 he located in the town of Ellington, Chautau- qua county. Here he combined with a general harness store the manufacture of barrels and also conducted a shop for the making of cof- fins and cabinet-work. He prospered in busi- ness and became quite a wealthy man. He lived to a good old age and occupied one dwelling as a home for sixty-four years. His wife, Nancy McCapes, born January 20, 1805. died July 5, 1895. Children: Phoebe, born May 27, 1825, died September 22, 1830; Ma- tilda, October 12, 1826; William, of whom further; Adaline, March 26, 1830; Cyrus. March 6, 1832; Osman, May 31, 1834: Cor- delia, August 8, 1836; Frank, May 8, 1838. died June 12, 1840; Clark, July 20, 1842; Par- thenia, July 10, 1844; Mason (2), 1846; James, September 10, 1848; Julia, April 22. 1849: Ida, October 16, 1852.
(III) William (2), third child and eldest son of Mason and Nancy ( McCapes) Shel- don, was born March 23, 1828, at Pine Grove, Pennsylvania, and died May 31, 1897. He was educated in the public schools, attending school in the winter, and at the youthful age of twelve years began learning the harnessmakers trade
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with his father. He became an expert work- man and devoted his life to the same business. He settled in the village of Frewsburg, Chau- tauqua county, and from 1850 until 1880 was continuously in business there, conducting a general harness and leather goods business, and was both well known and prosperous. In 1879 he came to Jamestown, New York, where he engaged in the same business until about three years prior to his death, when he retired. He purchased a comfortable home at 303 West Fourth street, and was a highly respected, in- fluential citizen. During his thirty years resi- dence in Frewsburg he was always active in vil- lage affairs, serving as assessor, town clerk and on the excise board. He was a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows of Frews- burg and of the Unitarian church. Politically he was a Republican.
He married Martha Jane Hiller, born at Jamestown, New York, December 22, 1833, daughter of Richard, born 1797, and Hannah (Garfield) Hiller, whose children were: Jed- ediah, Eliza, Joanna, Jonathan, born April 15, 1832; Martha, Jane, Eliza, Jeannette, Alex- ander, Nicholas and Samuel.
Mattie Jeannette, daughter of William and Martha J. Sheldon, was born at Frews- burg. Chautauqua county, New York, April 23, 1865. She was educated at the Frews- burg and Jamestown schools and married January 24, 1884, Austin A. Jones. Chil- dren : William Sheldon, born August 1, 1886, educated in Jamestown, and at the age of twenty-one entered the employ of the Amer- ican Express Company at Jamestown, and is now (1911) with the Adams Express Com- pany at Buffalo. 2. Ethel Mary, born Decem- ber 2, 1888, educated in music at Syracuse University and became a teacher of music, married August 4, 1911, Oswald H. Cook and resides at Rochester, New York. 3. Lora Evelyn, born February 24, 1893, a student at Jamestown high school. The family reside at 303 West Fourth street, Jamestown, the Shel- con homestead.
KELLEY-CARTER The small parish of Kelly, in Devon- shire, England, has given name to or taken name from a family which has there held its manorial seat for many centuries and "whose members," says Burke, "may look back beyond the conquest and derive themselves from the ancient Brit-
ons." Mr. Shirley says the manor and ad- vowson have been in the family at least from the time of Henry II. Branches divergent at various times from this old family seated them- selves at Exeter and other places in Devon- shire, and doubtless gave their share of emi- grants to the new world. The name of the parish and family was anciently spelled Kel- leigh, but became Kelly before this latter form was known elsewhere. A Norman origin has also been claimed for Kelly as an English name. The "New England Historic and Gen- ealogical Register," Volume II, Number I, gives a reprint of one of the four existing copies of the Roll of Battle Abbey. This re- print contains the name of Le Sire de Cailly. In a foot note is the remark that this is the name, Kelley or Kelly, which is found in a great many spellings. The descent from Le Sire de Cailly marked out by the law of primo- geniture is given under the name Cayley in Burke's "Encyclopedia of Heraldry." In Ire- land, Kelly has for centuries been one of the most common of surnames. Originally it was Ceallach, which is the Irish language signified strife, war. It was taken as the personal ap- pellation of a certain warrior who lived in one of the earlier centuries. "A quo," says the Irish genealogist, the "surname of Kelley." The pedigree of this line is traced by anti- quaries of Ireland in their way back through sixty-five generations to Heremon.
The probabilities favor the assumption that the first John Kelly, of Newbury, Massachu- setts, descended from some branch of the Dev- onshire (England) branch. The shorter form of the word was used by his descendants for more than a century, although it has been written and spelled since in every conceivable way, Kelley seldom appearing until its adop- tion by individual members of the Newbury family. John Kelly, one of the early settlers of Newbury, Massachusetts, is said to have come to that town from Newbury, England, in 1635. He had land granted him but did not build his house on the grants. When he built his house he located it at a considerable dis- tance from the little settlement, which was considered so daring a thing to do that his fellow townsmen remonstrated in the form of a vote of the town, declaring that if he should lose his life in consequence of his temerity "his blood should be upon his own head." He died December 28, 1644. His wife's name is not known, but he had a daughter Sarah, and a son
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John, born July 2, 1642, married May 25, 1663, Sarah, daughter of Deacon Richard Knight. He was a farmer and loyal supporter of the church. It is from him and six sons that the latter day family in Northboro, Massachu- setts, sprung.
(I) Joel Kelley, a descendant of John, of Newbury, was a resident of Northboro. Mass- achusetts. He married a Miss Southworth, and with her is buried in the Northboro bury- ing ground. Children: John, lived in Spring- field and Worcester, Massachusetts, dying at the latter place; Joel (2), of further mention ; Nathaniel, born and died in Northboro, where his life was spent ; Eliza, married a Mr. Kayes, of Northboro.
(II) Joel (2), son of Joel (1), and (Southworth) Kelley, was born at Northboro, Massachusetts, September, 1812, died in Lock- port, New York, 1886. He was educated in the Northboro schools, and learned the trade of boot and shoemaker. He left his native state and settled at Geneva, New York, where he followed his trade, later removing to Corn- ing, New York. Here he became interested in local political affairs and held several offices. He there abandoned his trade and engaged in railroading for several years. He ended his days with his daughter Marion in Lockport. He married (first) Nancy Nichols, born 1817, died 1840, of Shrewsbury, Massachusetts. Child : 1. Marion B., of further mention. He married (second) Elizabeth Norris, of Geneva, New York. Children : 2. Nancy Augusta, mar- ried James Allen, of Rochester, New York. 3. Andrew Burnside, a veteran of the civil war, and one of the first volunteers of the Twenty- third New York Regiment. 4. Ella, married Henry Lacey. 5. Edward Everett. 6. Ada Elizabeth, twin of Edward E., married Will- iam Furay, now of Los Angeles, California.
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