USA > New York > Historic homes and institutions and genealogical and family history of New York, Volume IV > Part 18
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Abraham Corson, third son and seventh child of Richard Corson, was born in Bayonne, New Jersey, November 20, 1803. He followed the sea for the greater part of his life, but some years before his death removed to Staten Island and commenced the business of a general contractor, in which he was very suc- cessful. He married Rebecca Drake, born at Mariner Harbor, Staten Island, February 11, 1806, daughter of Jeremiah and Elizabeth (Van Name) Drake. Elizabeth (Van Name) Drake was a native of Staten Island and was the daughter of Moses Van Name. Mr. and Mrs. Drake had the following named chil- dren: Carron, Rebecca, Moses, John, Marie, Joshua. Mr. and Mrs. Abraham Corson had eleven children, as follows: Hannah, Mary, John, Ann, who is the wife of John Bush; Margaret, Joshua D., Sarah, John, Moses, Katie, Deborah. Only Ann is living at present.
Joshına D. Corson, second son and sixth child of Abraham and Rebecca (Drake) Corson, was born at Mariner Harbor, Staten Island, April 16, 1837. He received his education in the public schools of that place, and at the early age of sixteen commenced a seafaring life. He had numerous adventures, among them being the experience of shipwreck in the West Indies when his ship capsized and he was forced to maintain a position on the bottom of the vessel for five days and nights, without food or drink, until picked up by the ship "May Queen," which was bound for Liverpool, England, and landed him in safety there. He was also shipwrecked on the Jersey coast and was picked up by the schooner "Belle." But all his sufferings on the ocean could not induce him to give up the life of a sailor.
Joshua D. Corson married, April 12, 1861, Eleanora E.
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Gosline, born December 11, 1842, at New York city, daughter of William Lawrence and Eliza M. (Johnson) Gosline. Mr. Gos- line was born in the city of New York, and was a carpenter by trade. He married Eliza M. Johnson, born on Staten Island, and they had four children: William, Jemima J., Tabitha M., and Eleanora E., who became the wife of Joshua D. Corson. Mr. and Mrs. Joshua D. Corson have had nine children, as fol- lows: 1. Ellie, born May 11, 1862, married William Decker, now deceased. 2. Kohler, born April 18, 1865. 3. Edmond, born January 22, 1868. 4. William, born July 14, 1870, mar- ried Mary Robb, of West Brighton, Staten Island, and is in the employ of the city. 5. Abraham, born February 11, 1873, mar- ried Rose Smith. 6. Bertram, born August 24, 1875. 7. Joshua, born November 20, 1877, married Tillie Chandler. 8. Carrie F., born December 7, 1880, married Wilbur Realin. 9. Melville, born February 20, 1884, married Mary Clark.
JACOB SMITH.
Jacob Smith, a patriotic and enterprising German-Amer- ican citizen of City Island, borough of the Bronx, where he has become well and favorably known as the preserver of the old frigate sloop "Macedonia," which has become a matter of con- siderable local historic interest. The English frigate "Mace- donia," captured on Friday, October 25, 1812, by the United States frigate, "United States," was commanded by Captain Stephen Decatur. The action was fought in latitude 24 north and longitude 29' 30" west; that is about six hundred miles northwest of the Cape De Verde Islands, on west coast of Africa; was towed into Cow Bay, 1874.
Jacob Smith was born at Kaisers Lautern, in the Rhine Pfalz district, kingdom of Bavaria, Germany, February 11, 1841, son of Frederick William and Rosanna (Wail) Schmitt,
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Jacob Smith, Wife, Children and Grandchildren
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and was one of a family of eight children, six of whom emigrated to the United States and took up their residence in New York city, and two of whom died in the Fatherland. The six chil- dren who emigrated to the United States were as follows: 1. Wilhelmina, married William Seltzer. 2. William, died in New York city at the age of sixteen years. 3. Jacob, of this review. 4. Annie, who married Charles Steger. 5. Nicholas, married Sarah Frank. 6. Peter, married Margaret The mother of the aforementioned children came to the United States in 1850 and died in New Rochelle, Westchester county, New York, in 1868. Her husband, Frederick William Schmitt, passed away in the Fatherland in 1847.
Jacob Smith, of this review, came to the United States in 1850 and with the family took up his abode in New York city, where he received his elementary training. Upon attaining to manhood years he learned the machinist trade, which line of occupation he followed for some time. In 1872 he came to City Island and there continned to follow his trade until 1888. That year, after having received permission from the United States government to undertake the task of restoring the old frigate sloop "Macedonia," he did so and added an annex to the same, using it for living purposes and also as a family and picnic resort, which has become popularly known as the Macedonia Hotel. During his residence at City Island, Mr. Smith has at all times taken an active interest in the material welfare of the neighborhood. He is an active member of the Mt. Vernon Sing- ing Verein and such other organizations as have for their ob- jeet the advancement of the social interests of the community.
He married, in New York city, December 6, 1864, Sarah Ann Hyde, born May 28, 1840, danghter of James K. and Clara (Jennings) Hyde. Of this marriage were born the following children: 1. Jacob P .. born March 14, 1866, married Louise
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Lockyer. 2. Sarah L., born November 5, 1868, married John P. Hawkins, Jr., of City Island. 3. Phoebe E., born November 19, 1870, married Captain John Crawford. 4. Elizabeth J., born November 17, 1872, married John Stradinger, of Van Ness, borough of the Bronx. 5. Joseph, born December 12, 1874, married Decie Mayer. 6. Mary H., born September 26, 1876, married Thomas Coltart, of City Island. 7. Isaac, died at the age of five years. 8. Frank Harrison, who lost his life by drowning at the age of nineteen. 9. Martha, died at the early age of one year. The mother of the aforementioned children died December 2, 1894; she was a consistent christian lady and a member of the Episcopal church.
WILLIAM HENRY SCOFIELD.
William Henry Scofield was a useful and highly respected citizen for many years of City Island, borough of Bronx, where he was born December 28, 1828. His parents were William and Maria (Bishop) Scofield, who were among the first land owners of City Island. where they were engaged in farming through- ont the active years of their life. They were the parents of five children : 1. William Henry, see forward. 2. Mary Ann, born January 15, 1829, married Elisha Booth, September 3, 1848, and has children : Isabella, born September 3, 1849, mar- ried David Craft, December 31, 1869, and has one child, Agnes Craft, born July 28, 1875, died February 7, 1876. Spencer S., born July 18, 1865, married Carrie Magnus, August 27, 1891; she was born September 11, 1869, and has children: Frank L., born July, 1893; Florence, born February 1, 1895. Maria S., born April 17, 1869, died April 16, 1889. 3. Elizabeth, married Samuel Pell, of City Island. 4. Sarah, married Ezra Water- house, of City Island. 5. Daniel, died aged about nineteen years.
ACEDONIAN, HOTEL.
HOTEL
Macedonia Hotel, City Island, New York, Jacob Smith, Proprietor
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William H. Scofield received his educational training in the schools of City Island, and was reared to manhood years un- der the parental roof. Upon taking up the practical duties of life, he engaged in the oyster planting and shipping busi- ness, in which line of pursuit he was successfully engaged for many years. In addition to his commercial interests, he took an active part in all social and church enterprises of City Island, and frequently gave of his time and substance for char- itable purposes. In all his affairs he became known as a just and upright man. He passed away February 19, 1902.
Mr. Scofield married, January, 1867, Sarah Fritts, born August 6, 1829, in Hunterdon county, New Jersey, daughter of Frederick and Elizabeth (MeKinney) Fritts. Of this mar- riage were born two children, both of whom died in early life. The faithful wife survives her husband and resides on the homestead at City Island.
ARCHIBALD ROBERTSON.
Archibald Robertson, a progressive and enterprising citizen of City Island, where he is engaged in the ship, yacht and launch building trade, is a grandson of Nicholas F. Robertson, who was a native of Scotland, came to America in 1812 and settled in one of the Canadian provinces. His son, Henry R., father of Archibald Robertson, was born at Prince Edward Island, 1815, and he married Martha Munn, who was born at Picton, Canada, 1817.
Archibald Robertson was born at Charlottetown, province of Nova Scotia, Canada, May 24, 1842. and was there educated in the schools of his native town and at Calais, Maine. Upon attaining to manhood years he learned the ship carpenter's trade at Calais, where he followed the trade for a number of years and later removed to Hartford, Connecticut, where he
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again took up his profession, continuing there until 1877, when he came to City Island and here purchased lands, formerly a part of the Fordham estate, and shorerights, upon which he established his ship building plant, and by his industry and en- terprise built up a sneeessful trade in building yachts and pleas- ure craft. Among his patrons were some of New York's leading representative men. In addition to his commercial interests, Mr. Robertson takes an active interest in all enterprises that have for their objects the material good and welfare of the community in which he resides. He is an active member of Pelham Lodge, No. 712, F. and A. M., and also Huguenot Coun- cil, and New Rochelle Lodge, Royal Arcanum. Mr. Robertson is a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal church at City Island and has served as a member of the board of trustees of the same for over fifteen years. He retired from aetive busi- ness pursuits in 1906, and resides in a pleasant cottage on King avenne, overlooking Long Island sound.
Archibald Robertson married, at Calais, Maine, October 4, 1870. Mary Agnes Martin, born May 4, 1851, daughter of Alex- ander and Jane (Wilson) Martin, both natives of Calais, Maine. Of this marriage Mr. Robertson had born to him the following children: 1. Jessie May, born July 19, 1872, married John Spencer, and has one son, Archibald Spencer. 2. Florence, died in infancy. 3. Lawrence. 4. Annie Grace, born at Hart- ford, Connecticut, July 20, 1875. 5. Jennie Bell, died aged nine years. 6. Archibald, Jr., died in his second year. 7. Edith Louise, born August 24, 1882. 8. Alice Martin, born March 4, 1884. 9. Martha, born February 6, 1888, died September 26, 1904. 10. Alexander, born February 5, 1891, died in his second year. The faithful wife and mother of the aforementioned chil- dren passed away March 8, 1905. She was a consistent Christian
William Walsh
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lady, possessed of many excellencies of character and contrib- uted much of her time in assisting those in want, in time of sickness, and in many other ways.
WILLIAM HENRY WALSH.
William Henry Walsh was a highly respected and useful citizen of Throggs Neck, borough of Bronx, where he was born April 19, 1843, and was of the third generation in line of de- scent of William and Margaret (MeMurray) Walsh.
William Walsh, the first ancestor and founder of this fam- ily in America, was a native of Ireland. He married Margaret MeMurray, and of this marriage were born two children -- William and Mary Ann Walsh, who married Patrick Doherty, who was a native of Ireland, and for many years a highly re- spected citizen of New York city. William Walsh, the father of the aforementioned children, after a long and useful life, passed away in New York city, and his son William upon at- taining to manhood years took up his residence at Throggs Neck, in 1832. He purchased what was known as the old Hawthorn farm at Schuylerville, where he engaged in farm- ing and spent the remaining years of his life. He passed away at the family homestead in 1878. He was a frugal and indus- trious man and was highly respected by all who knew him.
William Walsh, Jr., married Margaret Condon, who bore him a family of nine children, as follows: 1. Mary Ann, born December 1, 1834, died October 26, 1865. 2. Margaret, Janu- ary 28, 1837. 3. Ellen, born April 18, 1838, died February 11, 1839. 4. William, born October 2, 1839, died December 19, 1841. 5. James, July 28, 1841, died August 5, 1861. 6. Will- iam, see forward. 7. John, February 7, 1845, married Anna MeGroey. 8. Joseph, March 27, 1849, died December 8, 1894. 9. Charles Francis, March 6, 1853, married Mary Taylor. Both
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the parents of the aforementioned children were faithful com- mnieants of St. Raymond's Roman Catholic Church. Mar- garet (Condon) Walsh died July 17, 1879.
William Henry Walsh, third son and sixth child of Will- iam and Margaret (Condon) Walsh, was educated in the schools of Throggs Neck, and was reared to manhood under the parental roof. He followed in the footsteps of his father, and for a number of years was engaged at farming and other occupations. In 1884 he was appointed superintendent of St. Raymond's cemetery at Schuylerville, and for a period of twen- ty-one years faithfully discharged the duties pertaining to that position. Mr. Walsh was well known for his punctuality and fidelity to duty, and was everywhere regarded as a reliable and conscientious man in all his affairs of life. He was an active member of the Holy Name Society of St. Raymond's parish, and at the time of his death, which occurred Jannary 7, 1905, the community lost a good and useful citizen.
William Henry Walsh married, February 5, 1873, Martha J. Waters, born April 1, 1844, daughter of Bernard and Cath- erine (Searing) Waters, the former a native of the Emerald Isle and the latter of White Plains, Westchester county, New York. Of this marriage were born three children, as follows: 1. Mary A., November 21, 1873. 2. James J., May 12, 1876, a graduate of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of New York city, and is now practicing medicine at No. 1043 Long- wood avenue, borough of Bronx. 3. Catherine Margaret, No- vember 4, 1886, died August 15, 1888.
JOHN BOLEN.
John Bolen, deceased, for many years a successful and en- terprising citizen of the village of Schuylerville, Throggs Neck, was born in the town of Wexford, Ireland. He was reared to
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manhood in his native land, educated in the common schools of his district, and upon emigrating to the United States at once took up his residence at Throggs Neck, and for a number of years thereafter worked at various occupations, succeeding by means of thrift and economy in accumulating sufficient cap- ital to enable him to engage in the baking business, in which line he was eminently successful, building up a large and lucra- tive trade, the result of perseverance, diligence and honesty. Mr. Bolen purchased considerable real estate at Schuylerville, and was an active factor in advancing the material interests of the village. "Bolen Green," which was named in honor of Mr. Bolen, was a source of pleasure and recreation to the residents of the community. Mr. Bolen took an active interest in public affairs, serving for a number of years as road commissioner, and during his tenure of office aided materially in improving the roads on Throggs Neck and immediate neighborhood. He was a faithful communicant of St. Raymond's Roman Catholic Church, to the support of which he contributed liberally. After a long and useful life, Mr. Bolen died at his home in Schuyler- ville, 1865.
Mr. Bolen married (first) , who bore him one son, Edward, who served as a member of a cavalry com- pany in the Union army during the Civil war. Mr. Bolen mar- ried (second) Catharine Burns, born in Ireland, died at the Bolen homestead. April 6, 1903. She was a daughter of Michael Burns, a native of Ireland. Two children were the issue of this marriage, namely: 1. John J., married Georgiana Flanigan. 2. Mary A., married, November 26, 1887, John Murphy, born October 29, 1863, at Pleasant Valley, Dutchess county, New York, son of Timothy and Margaret (Sherman) Murphy, natives of Ireland, the latter having been born in Tipperary county. John Murphy was reared and educated in his native town. In Vol. IV-16
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1885 he came to Selmuylerville and engaged in the mercantile trade, establishing himself in the premises formerly occupied by his father-in-law, John Bolen, and by his thrift and enter- prise has done much in a material way for the good and welfare of the neighborhood in which he resides, and has won the re- spect and esteem of all who know him. He and his family are faithful communicants of St. Raymond's Roman Catholic Church, and he is associated with the Holy Name Society of the parish, also the Knights of Columbus. Seven children were born to John and Mary A. (Bolen) Murphy, as follows: John J., horn March 19, 1888; William J., June 7, 1889; James Ed- ward, March 28, 1894; Timothy Francis, June 30, 1896; Charles, February 3. 1899, died September 10, 1899; Raymond, Febru- ary 28, 1900; Leo Aloysius, June 6, 1902; Vincent, July 11, 1906.
CHARLES FRANCIS WALSH.
Charles Francis Walsh, ninth and youngest child of Will- iam and Margaret (Condon) Walsh, was born at the family homestead at Schuylerville, borough of Bronx, March 6, 1853. He was educated in the schools of the neighborhood and was reared to manhood under the parental roof. Upon taking up the practical duties of life he learned the machinist's trade, and after faithfully serving a full apprenticeship became en- gaged at his trade, and finally entered the employ of the Stand- ard Oil Company, No. 26 Broadway, New York city, where he held the position of chief engineer for a period of ten years. His death occurred at the family homestead at Schuylerville, December 10, 1888. Not unlike his worthy ancestors, he upheld the family traditions and became a good and useful citizen. He was a faithful communicant of St. Raymond's Roman Cath- olie Church, and gave liberally of his time and substance for
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the social and moral welfare of the neighborhood in which he resided.
Charles Francis Walsh married, 1881-82, Mary Taylor, born 1855, daughter of Alexander and Marion Taylor, both natives of Glasgow, Scotland, and of this marriage were born four children, as follows: 1. Alexander Francis, born February 4, 1883. 2. William Henry, born May 17, 1884. 3. Joseph J., born February 28, 1886. 4. Charles Francis, born December 12, 1887. The faithful wife and mother of the aforementioned children died at the family homestead August 9, 1900. She was a lady of the old-school type and was possessed of many excell- ent qualities of mind and heart.
Alexander Francis Walsh, eldest child of Charles Francis and Mary (Taylor) Walsh, received his elementary educational training in the schools of Throggs Neck. This was supplemented by a course at the Eastman Business College at Poughkeepsie. Upon taking up the practical duties of life he became engaged with his uncle, William Henry Walsh, who was then super- intendent of St. Raymond's cemetery, and by his fidelity to duty and punctuality in his work was appointed to the position of assistant superintendent and held that position up to the time of his uncle's death in 1905. Mr. Walsh succeeded to his uncle's position in 1906, and has since faithfully discharged the duties of his office to the entire satisfaction of all concerned.
WILLIAM VICKERY.
William Vickery, deceased. for many years a useful and highly respected citizen of City Island, where he was for many years engaged in garden farming, which line of pursuit was his chief employment, was born in the parish of Withel Flory, in Somersetshire, England, in May, 1824.
He was there educated and reared to manhood and trained
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to the routine of farm life. In 1854 he decided to come to the United States, hoping to find a broader field for his skill and labor, and upon arriving in New York city settled at City Island, where he entered the employ of Bruce Hunter, and then came to Pelham, where he found employment with Joshua Leviness, at garden farming. After working two years and saving his capital, Mr. Vickery purchased land from Joshua Leviness, upon which he erected the house where the family now resides on Maine street. City Island. Soon after locating there Mrs. Viek- ery engaged in storekeeping, and two years later purchased the lot and store adjacent to the old house and has since conducted the mercantile business on these premises. In addition to the storekeeping business Mr. and Mrs. Vickery had leased over sixty acres on City Island, where they conducted a successful garden farm, shipping nearly all their products to the markets of New York city. They both continued in this line of work nn- til the death of Mr. Vickery, which occurred October 27, 1871, and for nine years after her husband's death Mrs. Vickery con- ducted the garden farm in connection with the store. William Vickery was a consistent member of the Episcopal church at City Island, and during the many years of his active and busy life became well and favorably known and was highly respected.
William Vickery married, at St. John's Episcopal Church, Bristol, England, 1854, Jane Vickery, born September 1, 1821, daughter of John and Sarah (Redler) Vickery, she being of no kin or relationship. Of this marriage were born the following children : 1. Ellen, born 1854, died August 25, 1870, aged sixteen years. 2. Robert J., born March 13, 1856, died June 7, 1902; he married Mary L. Prout, born December 14, 1861, died December 22, 1881; she was of Newark, New Jersey ; they had one daughter, Ellen Jane Vickery. Robert J. Vickery married (second), Janu- ary 6, 1886, Marian Horton, born Jannary 27, 1856, daughter of
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Captain Benjamin Franklin and Delia (Abbott) Horton, and three children were born of this union, namely: Jane Roseland, born October 13, 1886, died January 7, 1888; William F., born April 25, 1888; Marian Horton, born November 8, 1890. 3. Will- iam Frederick, born December 17, 1859, died November 25, 1885; he married Emma A. MeClennon, born September 8, 1858, died August 13, 1889, daughter of Charles and Amelia MeClennon, and had children: Robert William, born July 5, 1878; Annette, born November 12, 1880, married Edward Williams and has chil- dren: Robert Lewis and Roland Vickery Williams. Charles Evison, born September 26, 1883.
FREDERICK WILLIAM KOCH.
Frederick William Koel, a highly respected German-Ameri- can citizen of Throggs Neek, borough of the Bronx, where he has been a resident for many years, was born in the village of Haber- stedt, court district of Minden, province of Westphalia, Ger- many, February 2, 1827. His parents were Ernest and Christina (Lubking) Koch, both of whom were natives of Haberstedt, and of their marriage had born three sons and one daughter, all of whom, except Frederick W., spent their lives in the fatherland.
Frederick William Koch, of this review, was educated in the schools of the fatherland, and in 1849, being exempt from military duty, decided to come to the United States, hoping there to find a broader field for his skill and labor. Upon arriving in New York city, May 8, 1849, he at once found employment as a gardener, and in 1851 began business on his own account, having leased land from the Astor estate, and located at Forty-fourth street, between Seventh and Eighth avenues, where he remained for four years in this pursuit, and in 1855 removed to One Hun- dred and Thirty-sixth street between Seventh and Eighth ave- nnes, New York city. In 1867, having by his industry, thrift and
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economy accumulated sufficient capital, he purchased the old Fer- ris homestead property, consisting of twenty acres at Throggs Neck, and has since resided there.
Mr. Koch married, July 16, 1851, Lonisa Heitkam, born 1823, a native of Blasheim province, of Westphalia, kingdom of Prus- sia, Germany, and of this marriage had born to him the follow- ing children : 1. Frederick William, Jr., born June 5, 1852, mar- ried Wilhelmina Lappe, born March 6, 1871, daughter of William and Wilhelmina (Schwarz) Lappe, both of whom were natives of the province of Hanover, Germany, and they have children : William, born September 29, 1894; Wilhelmina, born September 24, 1899. 2. Margaretta, born March 15, 1854, married Samuel Berrian, of New York city, and has children: Margaret, Samuel, Adolph, Susan, Lilly, Carrie, and Bella, who are yet living, and four who are dead, viz. : Annie, died aged twenty years; Mamie, died aged fourteen; Ephraim, died aged eighteen years; and William, died aged eighteen months. 3. Mary, married John Schuh, of Westchester, and her children are William and Mar- garet Schuh. Louise (Heitkam) Koch died July 16, 1879. Mr. Koch and his family are faithful attendants of the German Luth- eran church.
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