Genealogical and Family History of Western New York, Volume I, Part 53

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

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He married (first), May 29, 1872, Edith Ida Gron, born in Grossfal, Sweden, May 22, 1851, died December 11, 1879, daughter of Peter and Cora (Smith) Gron. He married (second), February 1I, 1881, Hannah (Gron) Haven, born October 24, 1851. daughter of '16-W

Andrew and Mary (Simpson) Gron, and widow of Jacob Haven, by whom she had a son, Charles F. Haven, born October 19, 1869; he married (first) Jennie Hughes, and (sec- ond) Gertie Brink, born March 18, 1877; chil- dren : Harold H., born November 17, 1900; Arthur R., born September 15, 1903. Charles F. Haven is connected with the Ross Lumber Company, of Jamestown. Children of first wife: I. Byron Peter, born July 3, 1873, died July 8, 1873. 2. Myron August, twin of By- ron Peter, died the day of birth. 3. Cora Belle, born October 30, 1875; married, August 26, 1903, Manfred M. Sadler, of Russell, Pennsylvania ; child, Arthur Amidon, resides at North Warren, Pennsylvania. Children of second wife: 4. Levi Lewis, born April 17, 1883; educated in the Jamestown grammar and high schools and business college, complet- ing his studies at Allegheny College. He has been connected with the lumber business since he was fourteen years of age, was for five years a member of the firm of A. A. Amidon & Sons, and is now chief buyer for the Mad- dox Table Company, a position he has filled for the past five years. He is an expert judge of lumber, and with an unerring eye makes his selections. He is a member of the Lum- bermen's Association, a Republican in politics and is connected with the Methodist Episcopal church. He married, December 24, 1903, Eva M. Schopp, born at Erie, Pennsylvania, December 18, 1884, daughter of William and Barbara (Steller ) Schopp; children : Dorothy Eva, born June 11, 1906; Eugene Levi, October 5, 1908; this family resides in Jamestown. 5. Otto Melvin, born February 26, 1885; educated in the public school (grammar and high), James- town Business College and Bryant & Strat- ton's Business College, Buffalo. He was a member of the firm of A. A. Amidon & Sons, now buyer for the firm of Taylor & Crate, of Buffalo, New York. He is a member of the Lumbermen's Association, a Republican and a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. 6. Pearl Maud, born December 12, 1886; edu- cated in the Jamestown high school, member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and a teacher in the Young Women's Christian As- sociation. 7. Minnie, died in infancy. 8. Nel- lie Viola, born December 30, 1894; now a stu- dent in the high school, and a member of the Young Women's Christian Association.

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CARPENTER There were three distinct families bearing the name of Carpenter who made early settlement in America. They were each from England, where the family is of "great antiquity," and to distinguish them have been termed "The Providence Family" (the earli- est of three to settle in the New World), "The Rehoboth Family" and "The Philadelphia Family." The first two named were related and there is good evidence that the third was also. Perhaps the first mention of the name of Carpenter in America is that of Alice Car- penter, who came from Leyden, Holland, landed in Plymouth in June, 1623, and became the wife of Governor William Bradford on August 14, following, being as the governor made record "the fourth marriage in the col- ony." She was the daughter of Alexander Carpenter, who, with his wife and four other daughters, were members of the church at Leyden, where the governor knew her.

(I) The first person bearing the name Car- penter to make permanent settlement in Amer- ica was William Carpenter, son of Richard Carpenter, of Amesbury, Wiltshire, England. He married Elizabeth Arnold, born at Chesel- bourne, Dorsetshire, England, November 23, 1611. They were married a short time before their sailing for America. The first mention found of William Carpenter in America is in the "Initial Deed" hastily drawn up by Roger Williams at the time of settlement at New Providence, Rhode Island, in which he desig- nates by initial the "loving friends and neigh- bors" who are to have equal rights with him- self. In it are the initials W. C. These friends and neighbors, twelve in number had nothing further to show for their holdings until De- cember 23, 1661, when a formal "Confirma- tory Deed" was given them by Roger Williams and wife. There were some omissions of names in the second deed, and in 1666 another deed was given in which Mr. Williams states the "Initial Deed was given the 8th day of the 8th month, 1638." In the latter deed William Carpenter is named in full. The "First Baptist Church in America" was constituted at Providence between August 3, 1638, and March 16, 1639. In the list of "Founders" is the name of William Carpenter. His "Home Toll" was separated from that of Robert Coles by a highway. Town street is now Main street, and the highway is now "Meeting Street," Providence, so called because of the

Friends Meeting House, which now occupies William Carpenter's lot. Soon after the sign- ing of the "Initial Deed" the proprietors made division of their purchase. William Carpenter and others were allotted a large tract at "Pau- . tuxet," where they at once made settlement. It was a beautiful tract of meadow land, four miles south from Providence, bordering on Narragansett bay, and south on the Pawtuxet river. In later years it was known as Cran- ston, and is now covered with blocks of build- ings. It was here that William Carpenter spent the remaining years of his life; for nearly fifty years it was his home. There is hardly a page of the town records but has mention of him; he was on numerous commissions to lay out roads, settle boundary lines, locate and build bridges, and he was a warm personal friend of Roger Williams, whose perfect confidence he enjoyed. He was elected to the general court many times, and was assistant to the gen- eral assembly and deputy. When King Philip's war was threatening the very life of the colony the general assembly on April 4, 1676, voted "that in these troubulous times and straits in the colony this Assembly desiring to have the advice and concurrence of the most judicious inhabitants, do desire at their next sitting the company and counsel of William Carpenter." During the war, "on January 27, 1676, the In- dians despoiled Wm. Carpenter of two hun- dred sheep, fifty head of cattle and fifteen horses." Austin says: "William Carpenter's house was attacked by three hundred Indians and was set on fire by them, but the flames were extinguished by the defenders. Two of his household were killed." One of these was his son William. His last public service was on April 25, 1683, when as "Last survivor of the Thirteen Proprietors" he gave deeds to the heirs of his fellow proprietors for lands that had been held in joint ownership. He made his will February 10, 1680. The death of his son William caused a codicil which was added March 15, 1684, and he died September 7, 1685. His wife, Elizabeth ( Arnold) Carpen- ter, survived him. She was a sister of Bene- dict Arnold, governor of the colony from 1663 until his death in 1678. Her father, William Walter Stephen Arnold, and sister Joana re- sided near Pawtuxet, and for nearly half a century the Carpenters and Arnolds were the largest landowners and chief taxpayers of Pawtuxet. A monument was erected in mem- ory of the Carpenter family in 1860 by one of

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William's descendants in Cranston, three and a half miles from the City Hall, Providence, Rhode Island.

. Children of William and Elizabeth Carpen- ter, all except the first born in Pawtuxet: I. .Joseph, see forward. ' 2. Lydia, born about 1638. 3. Ephraim, about 1640. 4. Timothy, about 1643. 5. William, about 1645. 6. Pris- cilla, about 1648. 7. Silas, 1650. 8. Ben- jamin, about 1653. Silas is the only one of the family whose birth is definitely known. A deposition taken in 1674 and the date on his gravestone fixes it in the year given. The chil- dren are all named in the will, William ex- cepting, who was killed by the Indians prior to the death of his father.

(II) Joseph, eldest son of William and Elizabeth (Arnold) Carpenter, was born at Amesbury, Wiltshire, England, about 1635. The first mention made of him is at Provi- .dence, Rhode Island, where on May 3, 1656, he is witness to a deed from his uncle, Stephen Arnold, to his father, which indicates that he was then of legal age. The town records of Warwick, Rhode Island, show that he had a ""Corne Mill" at the wading place near the Falls on the Pawtuxet river. Here he re- mained until 1677, although as early as 1663 he was at Long Island making negotiations for the purchase of land from the Indians at Oys- ter Bay. The Hempstead colony on Long Island resisted the attempts to settle at Oyster Bay, but finally allowed them to remain in peace. Joseph Carpenter is recorded as having purchased three thousand acres of land at . Musketa Cove. Associated with him was Na- · thaniel Coles, Abia Carpenter, Thomas Town- send and Robert Coles. They styled themselves "The Five Proprietors of Musketa Planta- tions," which name and style was continued ·until after the revolution. Each proprietor had a "Home Lott" of five acres set off on which to erect a dwelling. These home lots were situated on a street or highway that they called "The Place." The site of these homes on this street, which still bears the name, are very readily identified. On the "Lott of Jo- seph Carpenter" the first house was built, after the erection of a saw mill. It was occu- pied by him all his lifetime, was the birthplace of nearly all his children, and continued in the family for several generations: The planta- tion prospered, although its growth was re- tarded by King Philip's war. Following the erection of a saw mill, he built a grist and

fulling mill, agreeing with the other proprie- tors to grind their grain in return for the use of water power. In a few years the Oyster Bay settlement had their own town govern- ·ment, constable, overseers, justice of the peace and recorder. They held their own town meet- ings and elected their own officers until the organization of Queens county in 1683. They had many industries and the records show Joseph Carpenter to have been the prime mover in their establishment and that his en- ergy and ability had made a thriving com- munity from an humble beginning. He died during the "sickly season" of 1683. The place of his burial is not known.

He married (first), April 21, 1659, Han- nah, daughter of William Carpenter, of Reho- both, Massachusetts. She was born at Wey- mouth, Massachusetts, February 3, 1640, died about 1673. He married (second) Ann (or Anna), baptized in the Dutch church at New York in 1647, daughter of Francis and Eliza- beth (Luther) Weeks. Francis Weeks was with Roger Williams in the canoe when he first landed at Providence. He and his wife were early settlers of Hempstead, Long Island, where they were heavily fined for "entertain- ing Quakers," and soon after removed to Oys- ter Bay. Children by first wife: I. Joseph, "the eldest son," inherited the estate and title of his father. 2. A daughter, married William Thornecraft. 3. Tansen, married John Wil- liams. 4. William, see forward. 5. Nathan- iel, said to have been the first white child born at Musketa Cove, Oyster Bay, Long Island; married Tamar, eldest daughter of Robert and Mercy (Wright) Coles. 6. Hannah, married Jacob Hicks. Children of second wife: 7. Ann, married Joseph Weeks. 8. Benjamin, married Mercy, daughter of Robert and Mercy (Wright) Coles, sister of the wife of his half- brother, Nathaniel. 9. John (posthumous child), married Martha Feake. These chil- dren were all prominent in the plantation and some of them joined in the exodus from Oys- ter Bay to "the Main," as Westchester county was then called, and were among the first set- tlers at Rye, North Castle, Bedford, Harrison and Mamaroneck. Other families leaving about 1700 were the Coles, Weeks, Lallings, Wrights, Townsends, Cocks and many others.

(III) William (2), son of Joseph and Han- nah (Carpenter) Carpenter, was born at Paw- tucket, Rhode Island, about 1666. The first mention of him is found in the will of his

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grandfather, 1683, and in 1692 he appears at Pawtucket and sold the property so given by will. He acted as one of the proprietors after the death of his brother Joseph until 1706, when his nephew Joseph attained legal age. He was a large landowner and prominent in the affairs of the plantation. He was a black- smith by trade, having his homestead and shop in that part of town known as "Duck Pond," now a residential section known as Nassau Station. He sold his property in 1720 and re- moved to . Westchester county, New York, though he still had landed interests at Musketa Cove as late as 1734. He married Elizabeth, daughter of Ephraim Carpenter, supposed to have been his cousin; she died about 1743. Children : 1. William, married Elizabeth Prior. 2. Joseph, married Ann Farman. 3. Silas, no record of marriage. 4. Benjamin, married (first) Dinah Albertson, (second) Lydia Thorne. 5. Timothy, see forward. 6. Eliza- beth, married Samuel Weeks. 7. Ruth, mar- ried William Thornecraft. 8. Mai, married Captain Thomas Kepp. 9. Benedict, married (first) Hannah Haviland, (second) Abigail Horton, (third) Abigail Ferris. The members of the "Friends Meeting" at Purchase, New York, says he for "4th wife married the widow, Elizabeth Wanser, who survived him."

(IV) Timothy, son of William (2) and Elizabeth (Carpenter) Carpenter, was born at Musketa Cove, Long Island, New York, April I, 1698. He removed to Westchester county, New York. In 1720 he bought a large tract of land from the Indians at North Castle, part of which still remains in the family. His house was burned in 1721 and again in 1722. He then built the house in which he lived until his death. The house was afterward occupied by his son Timothy,. his grandson William and his great-grandson Job R. It was torn down in 1845. In his will, made July 11, 1763, he divides a large landed property among his living children and wife Phebe. His will was proved May 24, 1769.

Timothy Carpenter married, about 1719, Phebe, born March 16, 1706, daughter of Sam- nel and Elizabeth ( Albertson) Coles. Chil- dren : 1. Samuel (said to have been the first white child born at North Castle), born Jan- uary 17, 1720; married Rachel, daughter of Job Wright, and had two children. 2. Ephraim, born June 27, 1723; is believed to have re- moved to Orange county, New York. 3. George, married Lucretia, daughter of Thomas

Goulding; he was a farmer at "Nine Part- ners," Dutchess county, New York; had five children. 4. Phebe, born June 25, 1729; mar- ried William Forman, a farmer of Yorktown, Westchester county; they had a daughter Elizabeth, married Josiah Green. 5. William, see forward. 6. Archealus, born April 23, 1734; married Rebecca Goulding, sister of the wife of his brother George. He was a tanner and currier, and had a farm at North Castle, where he lived at the time of the revolution. He sided with the "Loyalists," and because of his activity in their behalf his farm was con- fiscated and he and his family compelled to leave the country. They left New York in 1783, on board the ship "Cyrus," and settled in New Brunswick, enduring for many years untold hardships in that unsettled country. It is said of him that he built the first house and shop at "Parrtown," now St. John. He died July 15, 1810, leaving nine children. 6. Silas, born July 15, 1737; was a farmer of Green- wich, Connecticut; he married Phebe, daughter of Joseph and Hannah Fowler, and had eight children. 7. Benjamin, twin of Silas ; married Mary Searles ; he was a farmer and resided for a time at Pittstown, Rensselaer county; had seven children. 8. Timothy, born August 1, 1740; married Hannah Ferris and had three children. 9. Elizabeth, died young.

(V) William (3) (named for his Grand- father Carpenter), son of Timothy and Phebe (Coles) Carpenter, was born at North Castle. Westchester county, New York, April 5, 1731. died June 6, 1814. He was a farmer at "Nine Partners." He married (first) Sarah Seaman, of Long Island. He married (second) Lydia, widow of Abraham Carpenter, and daughter of Peter Totten, of North Castle. Children of first wife: Seaman, Zeno, Stephen, Elizabeth, Bathany, Phebe, Mary, Cornell, Caroline, James and Sarah.

(VI) A son of William Carpenter, probably Zeno, born about 1762, who married (first) Lydia Clark; (second) Sarah Hoag.

(VII) Zenas, grandson of William Carpen- ter, was born July 9, 1801. He settled in Farmersville, Cattaraugus county, New York, in 1827, afterward removing to the Bullard district, going thence to Lyndon, where he died December 18, 1854. He married Laura Web- ster. Children : Warren and Laura.

(VIII) Warren, son of Zenas and Laura (Webster) Carpenter, was born January 17, 1827. He was but an infant when his parents

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removed to Farmersville, and as a boy and young man he followed their several removals, continuing with them until both died. He continued his residence in Lyndon until 1880, when he removed to Franklinville, Cattaraugus county, New York. He was a farmer and took a great interest in laying out and beauti- fying Mt. Prospect cemetery. He acquired quite a local reputation as a landscape gar- dener, planning and adorning several burial places in the county.

He married, December 18, 1849, Catherine J., daughter of Thomas De Kay, of New Hudson, Allegany county, New York. Chil- dren: I. Samuel. 2. Elroy V., married Bell Adams, and had Georgia B., Lucia and Kath- erine. 3. Zenas, of further mention. 4. Julia, married Edwin Scott, and had Gerald and Ha- zel. 5. Thomas, married and had Floyd and Edna.

(IX) Zenas (2), son of Warren and Cath- erine J. (De Kay) Carpenter, was born in Lyndon, Cattaraugus county, New York, about 1858. He was educated in the public schools and at Ten Broeck Academy. He taught school for several years, later engaging in the manufacture of cheese. He was associated with his brother in the Carpenter cheese fac- tories, five in number, that they operated in Cattaraugus county. He continued in success- ful business until 1910, when he retired with a competency. He was justice of the peace for many years, assessor, member of the school board, trustee and a prominent member of the Methodist Episcopal church. In politics he was a Republican. He married Hattie Elmer, daughter of Austin and Martha A. (Barrow) Elmer. One child, Austin W.

(X) Austin W., only child of Zenas (2) and Hattie (Elmer) Carpenter, was born at East Randolph, Cattaraugus county, New York, December 21, 1886. He was educated in the public school, graduating from the high school, class of 1903. He began the study of law in the office of Goodwill & Benson, later taking a special course at the University of Buffalo. He was admitted to the bar March 2, 1909, and is now engaged in the practice of his profession at East Randolph. He is at- torney for the village, counsel for the People's State Bank, president of the Randolph Min- eral Springs Company and attorney for the Cattaraugus County Farmers' Fire Relief As- sociation. He is an energetic man of business and is one of the rising young attorneys of

his county. He is a member of Randolph Lodge, No. 359, Free and Accepted Masons.

He married, June 3, 1908, Florence Benson, born August 4, 1882, daughter of Henry and Julia D. Benson.

FISHER

The Fishers, of Randolph, New York, descend from Anthony Fisher, of Dedham, Massachu-

setts, 1637. He was a descendant of Anthony Fisher, who lived in the latter part of Queen Elizabeth's reign, in the parish of Lyleham, Suffolk, England. Anthony Fisher, of Ded- ham, was a son of Anthony Fisher, of Lyle- ham. Anthony (2) was baptized April 23, 1591. He came to New England with wife Mary and children, in the ship "Rose," arriv- ing in Boston, June 26, 1637, settling in Ded- ham. He was prominent in town and church. He died at Dorchester. "Mr. Anthony Fisher departed out of this life in the 80th year of his age (April 18) 1671. * * * In An- thony Fisher we find an Englishman of strong, positive points of character, with liberal views for the times, of favorable consideration by his fellow settlers as a citizen." Anthony (2), son of Anthony (1), of Dedham, was a promi- nent citizen of Dorchester. The family con- tinued in Massachusetts until the seventh gen- eration, when they settled in New Hampshire and other states.

(I) William Fisher, a descendant of An- thony Fisher, and of the seventh generation in America, was born 1775, died 1853. He was a resident of Lebanon, New Hampshire, and held a captain's commission in the war of 1812, in the American army. He was present at the burning of Buffalo in 1813. After the war he returned to Lebanon, where he followed his trade of millwright. He married and had a son, Zera W.

(II) Zera W., son of Captain William Fisher, was born in Lebanon, New Hampshire, 1814, died 1907. He later lived in Pembroke. He was a farmer and lumberman. In 1853 he removed to a farm near Bradford, Pennsyl- vania, later settling and engaging in the oil business. He then came to Randolph, Cattar- augus county, later removing to Jamestown, New York. He was a trustee of the Methodist Episcopal church, and a Republican. He mar- ried (first) Jane Beardsley ; (second) Melinda Barton. Children of first wife: 1. James, mar- ried Maggie -; children : Elmer and Harry. 2. Seaver Z., of further mention.

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Children of second wife: 3. Merrill, married Mary Sprague ; children : Birdie and Frank. 4. William, married Ella children : Grace and Fern. 5. Elmer. 6. Fremont. 7. Ellen.

(III) Seaver Z., son of Zera W. and his first wife, Jane (Beardsley) Fisher, was born in Bradford, Pennsylvania, January 14, 1845. He was educated in the public school and Edin- boro State Normal. He enlisted at the age of nineteen years, March 4, 1864, as private of Company I, Seventy-eighth Regiment, New York Infantry. He served under General Sherman, and at the battle of Little Kenesaw Mountain was wounded. He was honorably discharged for physical disability, July 7, 1865, at West Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He studied medicine with Dr. Linskoy, of Brad- ford, and in 1874-75 attended medical lectures at the University of Buffalo. He then took a two years' course at Miami College, Cincinnati, Ohio, graduated M. D., class of 1878. He be- gan practice in Little Valley, where he re- mained ten years. He was located in James- town, New York, three years ; in Erie county, New York, four years, then in 1902 came to Randolph, New York, where he is in success- ful medical and surgical practice (1911).

Dr. Fisher is a skillful, experienced practi- tioner and commands the confidence of his community. He was coroner three years while living at Little Valley; is health officer of Randolph, and a member of the State Med- ical Society. He is a member of the Masonic order, belonging to Elk Creek Lodge, No. 359, and Salamanca Chapter, No. 266.

He married (first) Lily Wood, born in 1856, died 1894. Children: I. Blanche E., born August 4, 1876; married Scott Baker, of Jamestown ; children : Ruth, born December 26, 1900; Margaret, August, 1902; Sheldon, 1904, and Scott, 1905. 2. Ethel L., born April 21, 1885. 3. Grace E., born February 14, 1886. Dr. Fisher married (second) Iva B. Decker, of North Collins, New York.

RATHBONE The first of this name to appear in America is the Rev. William Rathbone, to whom allusion is made in a work published in 1637. He seems to have been an author, and as his doctrinal views did not accord with their own, the authorities of the Massachusetts Bay Colony, it is supposed, he was refused admis- sion to the church as member and consequently

was not permitted to take part in general pub- lic affairs. The records of Block Island give the name of John Rathbone as one of those who met at the house of Dr. Alcock, August, 17, 1660, to confer about the purchase of Block Island from Governor Endicott and three others to whom it had been granted for public services. In 1676 John Rathbone was chosen

one of the surveyors of highways. In 1682-83- 84 he represented Block Island in the Rhode Island general assembly. In 1686 he was one of the petitioners to the King of Great Brit- ain in reference to the "quo warranto," and in 1688 was one of the grand jury of Rhode Island. "Niles' Narrative of the French and, Indian Wars," published in 1760, gives the following :

In the year 1689, in July, William Rathbone had a narrow escape from the French, who had come in three vessels, and were then pillaging the island. They inquired who, among the inhabitants, would be the most likely to have money. They were told John Rathbone. The French proceeded to capture him, as they supposed, and demanded of him his money. The captive denied having any but a small sum. They endeavored to make him confess that he had more, and to deliver it to them, by tying him up and whipping him barbarously. While they were doing all this to an innocent man, whom they mis- took for the monied John Rathbone, the latter made his escape with his treasure. They had mistaken the son for the father.

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Genealogical and Family History of Western New York, Volume I, Part 53

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