USA > New York > Genealogical and family history of central New York : a record of the achievements of her people in the making of a commonwealth and the building of a nation, Volume I > Part 5
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For many years he represented the town of Conklin in the board of supervisors, and, al- though a staunch Republican, he was several times the candidate of both Democratic and Republican parties. He was an active member of the Presbyterian church, at Conklin, which he supported liberally, but after coming to Bing- hamton, at the earnest solicitation of Dr. Holly. pastor of the First Congregational Church, he
became an active member of that church. He was a fine example of a good, honest, upright, prosperous citizen. His business ventures have been of a nature that tended to the welfare and prosperity of numerous homes, and the happiness, of which he was indirectly author, was great. He was essentially a man of honor, and the integrity of his nature and the upright- ness of his character were ever visible in his business and social relations. Kind, manly and true hearted, Mr. Corbett was always an ex- ample for good among his associates, and the beneficent influence of his life and the im- pressions his sterling character have made upon men will not soon fade away.
His death occurred March 7, 1899, at his home, No. 82 Chestnut street, Binghamton, and removed from that city one of its most prosperous and influential citizens.
Mr. Corbett was of a nature so modest and unobtrusive that men accepted him for what he was, and came to reckon with him as a fixed and stable quantity. His death brought his personality and his life record into bold relief, bringing vividly before the mind of every one who ever had any dealings with him the picture of a character that might well awaken enthusiasm and an example well worthy of emulation. It is a satisfaction to contem- plate a personality so thoroughly wholesome, upright and four-square in its substantial out- lines as that of this quiet Christian gentleman. The keynote of Mr. Corbett's character was honesty and a scrupulous regard for every ob- ligation. He came of a family in which the sense of duty was very strong. "Full measure, pressed down and running over," was the law of his business dealings. He would rather pay a man more than was due him than run any chance of paying less. He usually planned to meet his obligations before they were due. A large employer of labor, he was universally respected and beloved by those who worked for him. He keenly appreciated the situation of the working man, and of those less for- tunately situated, to whom life is an anxious struggle for daily bread, and he felt it a part of his Christian obligation to deal generously with all such. Many was the debt that was never collected ; many the tenant, hard pressed. who found a month's rent generously remitted by his landlord.
Mr. Corbett was a hearty and unquestioning believer in Christianity. He found in it the law of right living here and of hope for the
Julius I. Vertelt
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hereafter. Early in life he took his stand as a Christian, and the quality of his faith was testi- fied by his works. He was a man who appre- ciated the value of the great conservative insti- tutions of human society, the family, the state, the church. In his relationship to his church, to his political party, and to his business asso- ciates, he was ever found loyal and steadfast.
Mr. Corbett married, October 14, 1858, Emma Ruth, born near Chenanfo, Tioga county, New York, daughter of Rev. J. M. Grimes, a Meth- odist minister, member of the Wyoming Con- ference, and Rachel Candfield ( Taylor ) Grinies. John M. Grimes, a member of Wyoming Con- ference, was born in the town of Candor, Tioga county, New York, November 19, 1812, died at his home, near Flemingville, New York, October 16, 1891. His parents were members of the Presbyterian church, and after prayer- ful study of various church creeds and the word of God he became a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, at Flemingville, New York, at about twenty. The pastor, John Griffin, gave him license to exhort, April 10, 1837. He received license to preach from George Her- man, presiding elder, November 19, 1839. So clear was his call to the ministry that the Quar- terly Conference, held at Flemingville, July 13, 1844, recommended him to Oneida Conference, and also for deacon's orders, into which con- ference he was received on probation in Au- gust, and ordained deacon, by Bishop Hamline. August 25, 1844. John M. Grimes married Rachel C. Taylor, March 22, 1838. Her natural ability and scholarly attainments, united with her strong faith and clear Christian experience, qualified her to speak words of wisdom in private, and in public her prayers and testi- mony were always a power for good. Reverend Grimes was a minister fifty-two years, and a member of conference for forty-seven years, and never failed to be present at its regular sessions. For twenty-seven years he received regular appointments and always entered cheer- fully upon his work. He served seventeen charges, and his labors were blessed in the salvation of souls and the sanctification of be- lievers. During his ministry he led two thou- sand souls to Christ. Children of Mr. and Mrs. Corbett, born at Corbettsville: I. Nettie Eloise, March 15, 1860, died May 13, 1907 : married, February 28, 1883, John L. Stuart ; children : Charlotte E., born October 4, 1885; Merritt C., born October 27, 1887 ; John Leon- ard, October 23, 1892. 2. Julia Alice, Novem-
ber 12. 1861 : married. September 26, 1883. Melvin C. Craver : children : George C., born May 2, 1889; Emma Ruth, April 4. 1891 ; Helen Louise, June 16, 1892. 3. Merritt J., mentioned below.
(VII) Merritt J., son of Julius Smith Cor- bett, was born on the old homestead, at Cor- bettsville, New York, May 3, 1865. He at- tended the public schools of Corbettsville, New York, and the high school of Binghamton, New York. For a time he was bookkeeper for the firm of Anderson & Gregg, shoe dealers, and afterward in a similar capacity for the Merchants' Bank, of Binghamton, for four years. In 1885 he became associated with his father, as a partner in the manufacture of acids. This continued for about three months, when the partnership was dissolved, and Mer- ritt J. continued the business alone. After a short time he admitted his brother-in-law, and the firm became Corbett & Stuart, Mr. Corbett being the secretary and treasurer. They built their first plant at Harvard, New York, in 1887, and their second, in 1890, at East Branch, New York, and, in 1892, a third plant at Trout Brook, New York, and later they purchased a plant at Sherman, Pennsylvania, and also one at Livingston Manor, New York, and, in 1898, they built their largest plant at St. Mary's, Pennsylvania, operating in all six plants. Of the above plants the first five are operated by Cor- bett & Stuart, and the last plant, at St. Mary's, is operated by M. J. Corbett & Company. Julius S. Corbett, father of M. J. Corbett, was for many years a stockholder in this concern.
In addition to this business, which Merritt J. Corbett has built up to its enormous propor- tions, he has always taken an active part and interest in public affairs in Binghamton. In 1907 he was appointed, by Governor Hughes, one of the board of managers of the Bingham- ton State Insane Asylum, to fill an unexpired term of two years, and at the expiration of this term, in 1909, he was reappointed by the gov- ernor for the full term of six years, to serve until 1915. He has been a director of the First National Bank since 1904: secretary of "The Boys' Club"; member of the Chemist Club. of New York ; one of the organizers of the Binghamton Country Club, on the board of managers ten years and treasurer a number of years ; member of Binghamton Press Club ; one of the members of the executive committee and on the board of directors of the Manu- facturers' Chemical Company, of Bradford,
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Pennsylvania; president of the Binghamton Cold Storage Company ; vice-president of the Broome County Realty Company ; director of the Acrum Gypsum Company ; director of the Yorktown Chemical Company, and a member of the Lenape Fishing Club. He was for sev- eral years president of the Young Men's Chris- tian Association, of Binghamton, and under his direction the present magnificent new build- ing was erected. He is a trustee of the First Presbyterian Church. In politics he is a Re- publican.
Mr. Corbett married, April 30, 1890, Julia Morgan, born July 24, 1867, daughter of Moses and Sarah A. Morgan. They have no children.
ASHLEY Robert Ashley, immigrant an- cestor, is first mentioned as a resident of Springfield, Massa- chusetts, on January 13, 1638-39, when there was a rating of forty pounds agreed upon to meet a portion of the expense of the minister's residence and maintenance. At this time Rob- ert Ashley gave the sum of one pound sixteen shillings, the fifth in amount on the list. The first allotment of land that he received was on January 5, 1640-41, when he had lot No. 3, of eight rods, he being unmarried, situated be- tween Widow Searle and John Dibble. The next important record of him is August 7, 1641, when Mr. Pynchon, founder of Spring- field, announced on this record the marriage of Robert Ashley and Widow Horton, which was to take place soon. At that time she gave over all her property to him, providing that he cared for her two sons. He married, 1641, Mary, widow of Thomas Horton, of Spring- field. The home lots of the inhabitants were laid out on the west side of what is now Main street, extending to the Connecticut river, while on the east side of Main street was the "wet meadow," which was allotted to each inhabit- ant in the same width, opposite his home lot, and running forty rods to the foot of the hill. Adjoining the "wet meadow," on the eastern end, was also given a wood lot, eighty rods in length and eight rods wide. Robert Ashley's lot was on what is now the northwest corner of Main and State streets, and extended to the river. There were only four other inhabit- ants who owned more land than he did at this time, and, in 1647, he was taxed on fifty-one acres. In 1646 he was licensed to keep the ordinary, and, January 22, 1651-52, he received a grant of land on Mill river, on condition that
he do so. On June 27, 1655, he was forbidden to sell "eyther wine or strong waters to Eng- lish or Indians." He probably resigned his posi- tion as keeper of the ordinary in the fall of 1660, for, December 31, 1660, Samuel Marsh- field was appointed to keep it. By this time Robert Ashley owned much land on the west side of the Connecticut river, and his house lot there had been granted him in February, 1661, "provided that he build and dwell there." He probably built soon after this, and he lived there the remaining twenty years of his life.
He was often called to serve as juryman, his first appearance being January 2, 1639-40, when he was on the jury that tried Mr. Moxon's slander suit against John Woodcock, He also served on the juries at Springfield, February 13, 1639-40, March 1, 1654, and those in the month of September, in 1661-62-64-67-70. He and Miles Morgan were chosen for overseers of the fences of the house lots, November 3, 1646. He and William Warriner were chosen overseers of fences for the fields in the upper part of the town, November 5, 1650, He was chosen surveyor of highways, with Nathaniel Bliss, November 4, 1651, and was again chosen to this office in 1652 and 1657. In 1653, at the reorganization of the town by the younger men, he was chosen one of the five selectmen, and was reelected annually until 1659, and in 1660-62-65 ; being first selectman in 1657. In 1655 he, with two others, refused to serve, and were fined twenty shillings apiece. He took the oath of fidelity March 23. 1655-56. On February 7, 1659, he was chosen town con- stable, and, March 5, 1659, sealer of weights and measures, being reelected to the latter office the next year. In April, 1665 he, with several others, was fined for being absent from town meeting. On March 30, 1669, he was freed from military training on petition. In Feb- ruary, 1653, he received three shillings as pay- ment "for the use of his mare for the use of the church." He was on the first seating com- mittee of the church, December 23, 1659, and sat in the first seat. In 1663 he was again on the seating committee. He took the oath of allegiance, with the other inhabitants of Spring- field, December 31, 1678. He died in West Springfield, November 29, 1683, and his wife died there, September 19, 1683. She and his son Joseph were made administrators of his estate, and he mentioned in his will, made October 9, 1679, his sons Jonathan, Joseph, David, wife Mary, grandson John, child of
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son David, and John Root. Children, born in Springfield : David (twin), June 3, 1642, men- tioned below ; daughter (twin), June 3, 1642, died soon after ; Mary, April 6, 1644 ; Jonathan, February 25, 1645-46 ; Sarah, August 23, 1648, probably died young, as she is not mentioned in her father's will of 1679: Joseph, July 6, 1652.
( II) David, son of Robert Ashley, was born in Springfield, June 3, 1642, died December 8, 1718, in Westfield, Massachusetts. He mar- ried, November 24, 1663, Hannah, daughter of Henry and Helena Glover, born May, 1646, New Haven ; died June 7, 1722, Westfield. He settled in Springfield, and lived there until he had been married three years. Ile received a grant of land at Woronoco, now Westfield. February 8, 1663-64, on condition that he and the other grantees "pay the Indians for their purchase within three years and that they go there to dwell." His father had also a grant of land there in 1661, the title of which was eventually confirmed on David. The latter was one of the original grantees on the Fort Side ( Main street ), July 6, 1666, and probably removed his family there in the spring of 1667. March, 1668, a division of land was made into three parts, and lots cast for it, and his lands fell in the first division. He and Joseph Whit- ing received Sacketts creek, in March, 1669. "to set a mill thereon and grind corn." During King Philip's war he was one of a committee of three, appointed to convey to the govern- ment, at Boston, the protest of the town against a letter, dated March 20, 1676, which advised the inhabitants to abandon Westfield and re- treat to Springfield for protection against the Indians. He was granted, with three others, liberty to erect a sawmill on the brook, on the northeast side of the river. Towards the close of Queen Anne's war, June 9, 1712, his was one of the houses chosen for a fort. He held a number of responsible offices: juror, 1665: selectman, 1676-77-79-85-94-99; clerk of the writs, 1678-86-90 ; treasurer, 1694. He perform- ed the duties of these offices in a manner satis- factory to the town and was a highly respected citizen. He united with the Westfield church, January 1, 1679-80. and took the freeman's oath, September 28, 1680. Both he and his wife were buried in the old Westfield cemetery, where their gravestones may still be seen. Chil- dren, the first two born in Springfield, the others in Westfield : Samuel, October 26, 1664, mentioned below ; David, March 10, 1666-67 ;
John, June 27, 1669; Joseph, July 31, 1671 ; Sarah, September 10, 1673: Mary ( twin), De- cember 26. 1675, died July 19, 1676; Hannah (twin). December 26, 1675: Jonathan. June 21. 1678 ; Abigail, April 27. 1681 ; Mary, March 3. 1682-83; Rebecca, May 30, 1685.
(III) Samuel, son of David Ashley, was born in Springfield, October 26, 1664, died in Westfield, 1722. He married, April 27, 1686, in Hadley, Massachusetts, Sarah, daughter of Lieutenant Joseph and Joanna Kellogg, born August 27, 1666, in Hadley ; died January 30, 1729. in Westfield. He settled in the latter town, where he was a carpenter by trade. He was also engaged in farming, and kept the inn at Westfield for a number of years. He was a considerable landowner, and had a quarter interest in a gristmill at Two Mile Brook, in company with his brother. Deacon David Ash- ley. and Lieutenant James Dewey. During Queen Anne's war. June 9. 1712, three houses in the town were selected "to be forted." as a protection against the Indians, and his was one of the three. In 1719 he sold to his brother David half the home lot which had belonged to their father, and his name appears on a large number of deeds of land during his residence in Westfield. He held a large number of town offices : tythingman. 1697-98 and 1703: select- man, 1703-04-20; in 1700 he was chosen, with his brother David and two others, a committee to build the schoolhouse, and, in 1709. was elected constable, but refused to serve. March 8. 1713-14. he was appointed one of a com- mittee to settle the bounds between Westfield and Springfield. He united with the church, April 15. 1714, and was an active member. He was appointed on the committee to build a new meeting-house, in 1719, and on its com- pletion was. chosen on the seating committee, 1721. His services in the church were con- sidered worthy of a special vote of the town after his death. Children, born in Westfield : Mary, March 6, 1687, died in infancy ; Samuel. November 3, 1688; Daniel, September 7, 1691, mentioned below : Sarah, September 11, 1693, died in infancy: Rachel, February 14, 1695; Jacob, September 24. 1697 ; Joanna, February 6, 1699 : Ezekiel, April 27, 1701 ; Aaron, Janu- ary I. 1702-03 ; Abigail, May 23, 1708 ; Joseph, October II. 1709.
( )\') Daniel, son of Samuel Ashley, was born September 7, 1691, in Westfield; died in 1726, before November 4, when his inventory was taken. He married (intentions published
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November 15, 1718), in Westfield, Thankful ( Hawks) Taylor, widow of Thomas Taylor, and daughter of Deacon Eleazer and Judith (Smead) Hawks, born in Deerfield, 1690. She married (third), March 6, 1728-29, Colonel William Symes, of Northfield, Massachusetts. He settled in Westfield, and was one of the original proprietors of the Lower Township, now Sheffield, on the Housatonic river. There is no evidence, however, that he ever removed there. He was appointed from Deerfield to attend the delegates from the Five Nations, who came to Albany in the summer of 1723. and were thence conducted to Boston to hold conference with the English commissioners. He was a farmer by occupation. Children, born in Westfield: Samuel, March 20, 1720, mentioned below ; Martin, September 17, 1724. (V) Colonel Samuel (2) Ashley, son of Daniel Ashley, was born March 20, 1720, in Westfield ; died February 18, 1792, in Clare- mont, New Hampshire. He married, 1742, in Northfield, Eunice, daughter of Rev. Benja- min and Lydia (Todd) Doolittle, born July 24, 1724, in Northfield ; died in 1807, in Clare- mont. He spent his youth in Northfield and settled there after his marriage, in 1742. He had been an original grantee of the town of Winchester, New Hampshire, under the Massa- chusetts charter, and, in 1753. when by the settlement of the boundary between the former state and Massachusetts that town became a part of New Hampshire, he settled there, and became one of the first selectmen. He was one of the "Hinsdale petitioners," August 29, 1753, and also a petitioner and grantee of the towns of Windsor, Vermont, in 1761 ; Shrews- bury, Vermont, 1763, and Claremont, New Hampshire, 1784. In 1781, in the Vermont controversy, a contention in which New York claimed jurisdiction over the former state, Colo- nel Ashley, with ten others, protested against the proceedings of the convention, and by united and determined action prevented civi! feud. About this time he removed to Clare- mont, which had been granted to him, and sixty-eight others, October 26, 1764, and was chosen first moderator. He and members of his family at this date, 1784, possessed twenty- two of the seventy-five shares into which the town had been originally divided. At a meet- ing of the proprietors, May 26, 1784, these shares were laid out into one tract, and the dividing line named "Ashley's Lane." The
land thus acquired was controlled independently from the other town proprietors.
Colonel Ashley had a long and brilliant mili- tary service, from the French and Indian wars, through the revolution. He served at Fort Dummer, under Captain Josiah Kellogg, from August 7 to November 20, 1740, enlisted the following day in Captain Josiah Willard's com- pany, for duty at the same place, and was dis- charged, March 4, 1741-42. He served also in Captain Willard's company, from May 25 to November 21, 1742, and from February 12, 1748, to June 7, 1749. At the outbreak of the revolution he was a delegate to the provincial government, as representative from Winches- ter, and was at the session, May 10. 1774, at Portsmouth, at which a committee of corre- spondence was appointed for the purpose of exchanging information with similar commit- tees from other colonies. He was also a dele- gate to the convention held at Exeter, July 21, 1774, which appointed representatives to the first continental congress, at Philadelphia, and also to those held there January 5 and April 21. 1775. May 17, 1775. at the meeting of an- other convention, which styled itself the first provisional congress, the famous committee of safety was appointed, and at another session. held that same day, four more members were added to the latter committee, among whom Colonel Ashley was one. He was in continual attendance from June 14th to June 29th. He acted as mustering officer from the last date to October 31, 1775. and was commissioned colo- nel. August 24. of the first part of the regi- ment, formerly commanded by Colonel Josiah Willard. From October 31st to November 16th he was again a constant attendant on the committee. He was elected a member of the council of eight, January 5. 1776, and served on that body until 1780. He was appointed first justice of the inferior court of common pleas, of Cheshire county, January 10. 1776, and, June 26th. the house voted to appoint a committee to consider a petition of Colonel Ashley, and others, for a company of "Rang- ers." They voted to raise four companies, of fifty men each, to guard the western frontier, and Colonel Ashley was to enlist one of these companies, muster and pay the men. The following July he was appointed to muster men for the reenforcement of the army in Canada. He marched his regiment to Ticon- deroga, October 21, 1776, to reënforce the
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army there, and returned on November 16th. He marched again to Ticonderoga, on May 7. 1777, with one hundred and nine men, and served until June 18th, when he was dis- charged. He reënlisted, on June 29th, and was present at the evacuation of Ticonderoga. He was discharged July 11th, but volunteered for General Stark's staff, in the regiment which was then being raised to check Burgoyne's ad- vance, and was present at the battle of Ben- nington. He continued in the service under General Gates, at Saratoga, until Burgoyne's surrender, and held command of his regiment, the Thirteenth, afterwards the Sixth, New Hampshire, until he resigned, June 18, 1779. March 24, 1779, he had been chosen a repre- sentative to the continental congress, but de- clined. He continued a highly respected citi- zen of Claremont until his death. Children, the births of the first four recorded in North- field, and those of all of them in Winchester : Oliver, October 20, 1743; Tirzah, December 24, 1745: Samuel, September 29, 1747, men- tioned below ; Thankful, November 10, 1749; Eunice, December 17, 1751 : Daniel, January 15. 1754: Luther, April 27, 1762. died in infancy : Luther, August 19, 1764: Susannah, December 16, 1766.
(VI) Colonel Samuel (3) Ashley, son of Colonel Samuel (2) Ashley, was born in North- field, September 29, 1747 ; died October, 1820, in Springville. Pennsylvania. He settled in Claremont, where he lived on what is now known as the Charles Ainsworth farm. In the spring of 1818 he removed to Springville, and remained there until his death. He served in the revolution, was appointed first lieutenant of the Claremont company, Colonel Benjamin Bellows' regiment, Sixteenth New Hampshire, served from October 21st to November 16th, 1776. During this time and the Saratoga cam- paign he acted as adjutant, on Colonel Bel- lows' staff. His company had also served at Ticonderoga until the evacuation, and were discharged July 8, 1777. He served in Lieu- tenant Jeremiah Spencer's scouting party, of twenty-four men, August, 1780, which went in pursuit of the enemy who had made a raid on Claremont and surrounding towns. About this time Lieutenant Ashley was made captain of the New Hampshire line. After the close of the war he continued to take an active part in military affairs. He was appointed lieuten- ant-colonel of the Fifteenth New Hampshire
Militia Regiment, December 25, 1784, and its colonel, September 25, 1786. .
He married, August 9, 1770, in Northfield, his cousin Lydia, daughter of Lucius and Sarah (Smith ) Doolittle, born December, 1753, in Northfield. Children, born in Claremont : Content, 1771; Samuel, 1773: Solomon Will- ard, 1774; Sarah, 1776; Lydia, November 22, 1779: Charles, 1782, mentioned below ; Har- mony, January, 1784, died September 25, 1784 ; Friendly, 1786, died in infancy ; Olive, 1788; Cynthia, August 8, 1791 ; Susannah, 1793.
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