USA > New York > Historic homes and institutions and genealogical and family history of New York, Volume IV > Part 19
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ISAAC BUTLER.
Isaac Butler, a highly respected and well known citizen of Westchester, sexton of St. Peter's Episcopal Church, borough of Bronx, a position which he has held for many years, is descended from English ancestors.
Joseph Butler, the great-grandfather of Isaac Butler, was a resident of Somersetshire, England, and was a farmer by occupation.
William Butler, son of Joseph Butler, was born in Somer- setshire, where he spent most of the active years of his life,
Frase Butter
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occupied with the cultivation of a farm. He married Martha Palmer.
William Butler, son of William and Martha (Palmer) Butler, was born in Somersetshire, England, in 1800, spent all his life there, and died in that place in April, 1836. He was a silk worker by occupation and followed that line of work through- out the active years of his life. He operated an extensive factory giving employment to as many as one hundred opera- tives. He married Ann Hill, who was also a native of Somer- setshire, and who survived him many years, dying at the mature age of eighty-three years. William and Ann (Hill) Butler had a number of children, of whom the following named came to America : Isaac, of this review. Stephen, see forward. Martha Ann Palmer, married George Griswold and settled at Meriden, Connecticut.
Isaac Butler, eldest son of William and Ann (Hill) Butler, was born in the village of Evercreech, Somersetshire, England, May 30, 1825. He was educated in the schools of his native town, Evercreech, and at the age of fourteen was apprenticed to learn the carpenter's trade. He served an apprenticeship of seven years and then worked as a journeyman up to 1849, when he decided to come to the United States. He was betrothed at the time of his decision, and he thought it advisable to marry before setting out for the new world. He sailed the day after his marriage and, after a tedious voyage of eight weeks, landed at New York city. Upon his arrival he at once settled at West Farms, where he commenced working at his trade of carpenter and followed that for a period of about four years. In 1853 he removed to Unionport, where he built a house for himself in which he continued to reside until July, 1856, when he removed to Westchester and pursued his trade there for some time. In the same year he became connected and identified with St.
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Peter's Episcopal Church and was made sexton thereof, a posi- tion he still holds at the present time (1906). Mr. Butler finally relinquished his trade as carpenter and became engaged in the undertaking business, which line of enterprise he has conducted in connection with his official duties at St. Peter's Church. Among his patrons are many of the leading citizens of the borough of the Bronx.
Isaac Butler is a careful and painstaking man in all his undertakings and scrupulously just in all his business transac- tions, and it may be correctly stated that he has served as sexton of St. Peter's Church at Westchester for fifty years and has always made punctuality and fidelity to duty his chief object. He has proven himself to be a progressive and enterprising citizen, and has, during these many years, contributed much to the growth and advancement of the community wherein he resides. He has always taken an active interest in such en- terprises as had for their object the good and welfare of the neighborhood. He has served for over fifteen years on the school board and has done much for the furtherance of educa- cational interests. He is an active member of Wyoming Lodge, No. 492, Free and Accepted Masons, and was the first member initiated into this lodge, of which he is a past master.
Isaac Butler married, April 9, 1849, Anna Cox, born Febril- ary 22, 1825, daughter of Richard and Patience (Read) Cox, both natives of Somersetshire, England. Mrs. Butler died October 1, 1889. She was a most estimable woman of the old school type and possessed many excellent attributes of character. Isaac Butler and his wife were the parents of the following named children: 1. Martha Annie, born September 25, 1852, married Henry V. Arnow, June 20, 1875, and had one son: Isaac Reed Butler Arnow, born August 1, 1876, who married, December 28, 1897, Lonise Julia Diehl, born July 30, 1877, and
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had the following children: Annie Mildred, born January 12, 1899; Ruth Louise, born June 16, 1900; Marie Julia, born Octo- ber 23, 1901; Isaac Butler, born September 8, 1904. 2. Will- iam Richard, born May 16, 1854, married Florence Thwaites, born July 26, 1856, and had the following children: Florence Taylor, born March 5, 1883, married Robert Crooker and has one child, born November 24, 1904; Frank Richard, born Sep- tember 13, 1886; Roy Elwood, born October 1, 1890. The two latter children are students in the public schools.
Stephen Butler, second son of William and Ann (Hill) Butler, born at Evercreech, Somersetshire, England, April 9, 1830, received his educational training in his native country. He also learned the trade of indoor blacksmith, serving an apprenticeship of five years, his mother paying to the master for his tuition the sum of sixteen pounds sterling. Upon com- pleting his apprenticeship the young mechanic received from his master twenty-five cents in payment for special work done on a holiday. Shortly afterwards Mr. Butler decided to come to the United States, his object being to join his brother Isaac who had previously emigrated to this country. He accordingly set sail, landed in New York city, and immediately began work at his trade, but later took np carpentering, which line of work he soon mastered in all its varions details, and continued at this business for a number of years. In 1859 he met with a serious and painful accident, having been impaled on a picket fence caused by a fall while at his work. Upon recovering his former health and strength he pursued his trade up to October, 1903, when he retired from active business pursuits. Mr. Butler lost his life by accident on the New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad, near West Farms, January 6, 1906.
Mr. Butler married, January 1, 1856, Anna Card, born June 6, 1830, daughter of Clark and Mary Card, of Bruton,
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Somersetshire, England. Of this marriage there were four chil- dren: William C., born November 23, 1856, married Sarah Robinson, and has children: Eugene, Sarah, William and Lillie. Engene Francis, born July 5, 1858, married Mary Duffy, and has children : Arthur, Mabel, Lney, Stephen, Miriam, Vincent and Clark. Arthur K., born February 9, 1863. Katie Louise, born November 15, 1865. Mrs. Butler, who was a dutiful wife and loving mother, passed away April 9, 1902. She was a most estimable lady of the old school type, was highly respected and esteemed by all who knew her, and was a member of the Baptist church.
JACOB CROPSY SWAIM.
Jacob Cropsy Swaim, for many years a venerable and well known citizen of New Dorp, where he was in the government employ for a period of over thirty-five years, was born at the village of Annadale, town of Westfield, borough of Richmond, December 18, 1827, a son of Benjamin and Elizabeth (Taylor) Swaim, both of whom were natives of the same town.
Benjamin Swaim was a farmer by occupation, was re- garded as a highly respected citizen, and spent the whole of his life's career in his native town, where he died in 1828. He was a son of Benjamin and Martha Swaim, also of the town of Westfield. The Swaim family have been for many years identified with the affairs of Staten Island, their first ancestors having been among the early colonial settlers. Benjamin Swaim, Jr., married Elizabeth Taylor, daughter of Abner and Martha Taylor, both natives of the town of Westfield. The lat- ter lived to the mature age of ninety-seven years, and her husband, Abner Taylor, passed away aged eighty-seven years. Benjamin and Elizabeth (Taylor) Swaim had a family of five children: 1. Martha, married Joseph Y. Williams, of West-
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field. 2. Benjamin, did not marry, died at the age of twenty- three years. 3. Elizabeth, married William Lewis, of West- field. 4. Dina, married Thomas Canary, and after his death married James Foster, of the town of Westfield. 5. Jacob Cropsy, whose name introduces this review.
Jacob C. Swaim was educated and reared to manhood in his native town, and upon taking up the practical duties of life became engaged in the oyster planting business. In 1857 he became employed in the New York City Police Department, where he remained for a period of nine years, after which he became employed in the Quarantine Department of a Port of New York city. In 1872 he was transferred to the Light House Department at Tompkinsville, where he continued until 1876, which year he was transferred to the Elm Tree light house at New Dorp Beach, borough of Richmond, where he was actively engaged up to his death, February 13, 1906. Mr. Swaim was highly appreciated by the government authorities for his re- liability and fidelity to duty.
Jacob Cropsy Swaim was married in the town of West- field, borough of Richmond, May 16, 1848, to Ann Winant, daugh- ter of Daniel and Ann Winant, and of this marriage had born a family of seven children, as follows: 1. Jacob, married Rosie ; he died aged twenty-three years, leaving one child, Cath- erine Swaim. 2. Benjamin, who died in infancy. 3. Lanah, married George Cornell, and has children, John, Mary, Jennie, and Jessie Cornell. 4. Elizabeth, died aged two years. 5. Eliz- abeth 2d, married Augustus Divina, and has four children. 6. Matilda, married John Amos, of Rosebank, and has nine chil- dren, Jacob, Edward, John, Catherine, Robert, Bell, Winford, Theodore and 7. A child who died in infancy. The mother of the aforementioned children, Ann (Winant) Swaim, died December 2, 1875. Mr. Swaim married (second) Bertha
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Gillette; she died without issue. Mr. Swaim married (third) Bell Wood, who died July, 1898, without issue. Mr. Swaim married (fourth) Sarah Dunning, daughter of Joseph and Ann (Heffern) Hartley, and widow of Barney Dunning, deceased. Of this marriage were children as follows: Jacob C., Jr., born July 22, 1899. 2. Anna Norman, born August 11, 1900. 3. Amanda Johnson, born February 12, 1903.
PATRICK SEAVER.
Patrick Seaver was for many years a useful and highly respected citizen of the borough of Richmond, where he was engaged in the milling business and agricultural pursuits in the town of Southfield. Mr. Seaver was a native of the Em- erald Isle, where he was born December 26, 1813, son of Pat- rick and Julia (McGlynn) Seaver. His father was a shoe manu- facturer and retail dealer in the city of Dublin, where he was well known and highly respected by all who knew him. He came to the United States and took up his abode in Richmond county, where he died July 31, 1855.
Patrick Seaver married Julia MeGlynn, and of this mar- riage were born the following children: 1. James, born in 1811, came to the United States and settled in New York city. 2. Patrick, see forward. 3. Anna, married Samuel Allen; she came to the United States and settled in Richmond county. 4. Margaret, died in her native country; she had married but left no issue. 5. Thomas, born in 1819, came to the United States in 1848, settled in Richmond county, married Bridget Gaffney. 6. Mary, died in the early years of womanhood in her native land. 7. Jane, died in the early years of womanhood in her native land. 8. Bridget, came to the United States in 1848, settled in Richmond county ; married John McLee, and removed to Rockford, Illinois. 9. Lawrence, see forward, born October
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9, 1830, married Julia Burk; he settled in Richmond county, where he was for a number of years engaged in the milling busi- ness.
Patrick Seaver, whose name introduces this sketch, received his educational training in his native land and there learned the milling trade. In 1846, he came to the United States, tak- ing up his abode in New York city, where he found employ- ment for a short time. He next located near the village of Rich- mond, where he engaged in the milling business on his own ac- count, having operated the old Crocheron tide water mill for a period of over fourteen years. In 1862 Mr. Seaver purchased a tract of land from Gilpin and Merritt in the town of South- field, and later purchased additional land which was added to his original purchase, making in all about one hundred and eleven acres. These lands Mr. Seaver successfully cultivated during the active years of his life. He passed away at his home, May 2, 1877, leaving to his family not only an ample competence but the priceless heritage of an honorable name. Mr. Seaver was a faithful communicant of the Roman Catholic church of Richmond, having been one of the organizers of the same.
Patrick Seaver was married at St. Peter's Roman Catholic Church at West New Brighton, borough of Richmond, by the Rev. Father Murphy, March 31, 1851, to Maria Naughton, born at Queens county, Ireland, March 26, 1826, daughter of John and Kate (Delaney) Naughton, and of this marriage Mr. Seaver had born to him a family of nine children: 1. John, who died in infancy. 2. Richard, who died aged twenty-one years. 3. Edward, who died aged twenty. 4. James, who died at the age of twenty-six years. 5. Stephen P., who died aged eighteen years. 6. John, who died aged twenty-one years. 7. Mary Kath- erine. 8. Julia. 9. Lawrence A., married Mary Delaney, of Grant City, borongh of Richinond, and has children: Naugh-
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ton R., Cletus Angusta, Helen Maria, and Mildred Seaver. The faithful wife and mother of the aforementioned children, Maria (Naughton) Seaver, survives her worthy husband and resides with her children at the family homestead. Mrs. Seaver and her family are faithful communicants of St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church at Clifton. The Seaver homestead is situated on a tract of land comprising one hundred and eleven acres at Dongan Hills, which is leased by the Richmond County Agri- cultural Society and thereon the interborough fair and exhibition are annually held.
Lawrence Seaver, born October 9, 1830, received his educa- tional training in the schools of the parish, in Balbriggan, Ire- land. In 1846 he came to the United States and took up his abode in Richmond county, near the village of Richmond, where he learned the milling trade with his brother Patrick, continu- ing in his employ up to 1862, when he became associated with William H. Geib, under the firm name of Geih & Seaver. This arrangement was successfully continued up to 1865, when Mr. Seaver purchased his partner's interests and continued the business alone up to 1880, when, owing to the changed condi- tion of the business, Mr. Seaver sold his interests and retired to his farm which he had purchased in 1872 and where he has since resided with his family up to the present time. During these many years of his residence at Richmond Mr. Seaver has done much by his progress and enterprise for the material good and welfare of the neighborhood. He has at all times taken an active interest in public and social affairs, and has given of his time and substance for charitable and other purposes. Mr. Seaver has served for eighteen years on the board of asses- sors for the town of Southfield. Politically he is an ardent supporter of the principles of Democracy.
Lawrence Seaver married, January 1, 1862, at St. Patrick's
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Roman Catholic Church, by Rev. Father Curran, Julia Burk, born in 1832, a native of county Cork, Ireland, daughter of John and Mary (Hurley) Burk. Of this marriage were born the following children : Ella; Anna, died aged eight years; Mar- garet, died aged three years; Julia and Lawrence (twins) ; Law- rence, died aged two years. Mr. Seaver and his family are faithful communicants of St. Patrick's Roman Catholic Church of Richmond.
AXEL THOMSON.
Axel Thomson, for over thirty-five years a citizen of Granite- ville, town of Northfield, borough of Richmond, where he was well known and highly respected by all who knew him, was born in the city of Stockholm, Sweden, February 7, 1852, and was an only child of his parents. He received his educational training in the schools of his native city, where he was prepared for the practical duties of life. Having acquired a thorough knowledge as a florist he decided in 1868 to come to the United States, hop- ing here to find a broader field for his skill and knowledge. Upon arriving here September 30, 1868, he took up his abode in New York city, where he found employment with a Mr. Gabriel- son on Twelfth street; he remained for some time and later came with Mr. Gabrielson to New Dorp, borough of Richmond, where he continued in his employ for a number of years. Dur- ing this time Mr. Thomson by his industry and economy accumu- lated sufficient capital to begin business on his own account and took up his location near Graniteville, where he engaged in the florist business. In this undertaking he met with a well merited degree of success as the result of his industry and economy. In 1889 he purchased land upon which he at once made consider- able improvements and established business in the cultivation of flowers and plants, continuing in this line of pursuit up until
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his death, which occurred February 18, 1902. Mr. Thomson took an active interest in the affairs of the community wherein he resided, and for a number of years was an active member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
Axel Thomson married, in New York city, April 1, 1875, Augusta Sanquist, born at the town of Olritzelheim, Sweden, August 28, 1850, daughter of Johan and Maria (Lude) San- quist. Mrs. Thomson came to America in 1874. She is one of a family of three daughters of her parents. Of this marriage Mr. Thomson had born to him a family of three children: 1. Annie, died aged five months. 2. Lena, born February 5, 1878, married Lars Neilsen, October 1, 1905, and has one child, Lawrence Rob- ert Neilsen. 3. Robert, born August 26, 1879.
GEORGE BARNES.
George Barnes was a venerable and highly respected citi- zen of Midland Beach, town of Southfield, borough of Rich- mond, where he was born at the family homestead and resided throughout the whole period of his life.
The first ancestor of this family was George Barnes, who came from Salisbury, England, some time prior to the Revolu- tionary war. He took up his abode on Staten Island, and was married there. In 1793 he purchased a large tract of land bor- dering on the shore of the South Bay, situated in what is now the town of Southfield, borough of Richmond, and here he erected the house which has since been occupied by his descend- ants. Mr. Barnes spent the remaining years of his life at the homestead, and passed away there, aged ninety years. He had born of his union in marriage, family tradition states, two sons, one of whom was George Barnes, who was born at the family homestead and reared to mauhood. Not unlike his worthy an-
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cestor, he took up the tilling of the soil, which line of work he pursued throughout the active years of his life.
George Barnes (2) married Sarah Holmes, daughter of Samuel Holmes, of Staten Island, and of this marriage were born three sons and two daughters, namely: 1. George (3), see forward. 2. Jolin, married Rebecca Egbert, and spent the active years of his life in the town of Southfield. 3. Samuel, married and settled in New York city. 4. Sarah, married Alexander Hornby, of New York city. 5. Elizabeth, married Russell John- son, of Monroe, Connecticut. George Barnes, father of the aforementioned children, died at the family homestead aged forty-two years. His widow survived him for many years, dying when nearly three score years of age.
George Barnes, son of George and Sarah (Holmes) Barnes, was educated in the schools of the neighborhood and reared to manhood under the parental roof. He was a useful and highly respected citizen, and died at the family homestead, Au- gust 1, 1871. He married, November 28, 1831, Elizabeth Horn- by, daughter of John and Mary Hornby, both of London, Eng- land. Of this marriage were born the following children: 1. Robert, born February 7, 1833. 2. Louisa Hornby, married Jacob R. Tysen, of New Dorp, borough of Richmond. 3. Sarah Holmes, unmarried. 4. Charlotte Hornby, unmarried. 5. Mary Elizabeth, married Robert Miller. 6. Emily. The mother of the aforementioned children, Elizabeth (Hornby) Barnes, died November 15, 1879.
Robert Barnes, eldest son of George and Elizabeth (Horn- by) Barnes, received his educational training in the schools of the neighborhood of his home. He was reared to manhood under the parental roof, and upon taking up the practical dnties of life followed in the footsteps of his forefathers. He became en- gaged in farming and the shad fishing business, which occupa-
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tions he has followed to the present period. Mr. Barnes has worthily conserved the traditions of his ancestors, and is re- garded as a nseful and highly respected citizen.
Robert Barnes married, December 15, 1853, Mary Louisa Keteltas, born August 17, 1832, daughter of Jolm S. and Lydia (White) Keteltas, of Staten Island. Of this marriage were born the following children: 1. George, born April 1, 1857, died Jnne 24, 1875. 2. Sarah Louisa, born April 8, 1859, married John Butler, of Plainfield, New Jersey, and has one son, Robert Barnes Butler, born June 27, 1894. 3. Robert White, born Au- gust 25, 1863, married Isabella Carkuff; resides at Plainfield, New Jersey ; no issne. 4. Norman Keteltas, born December 17, 1865, married Helen Vroom, and has two children : Norman Rob- ert, born May 19, 1888, and Mildred Barnes, born February 22, 1893. 5. Lydia Evelyn, born Jannary 11, 1868, married Harry W. Putnam, of New Dorp, borough of Richmond; no issue.
MORRIS NUGENT.
Morris Nugent, for many years a highly respected and rep- resentative citizen of Egbertville, town of Southfield, borongh of Richmond, was born at Clonmell, county Tipperary, Ireland, May 20, 1831, son of Thomas and Mary (Sullivan) Nugent. Thomas Nugent had for many years been employed in the capa- city of steward with one of the leading families of the English nobility. Ile was regarded as a trustworthy and reliable man in all his duties. He died in his native country and after his death his widow, Mary (Sullivan) Nugent, came to America with her family of six children, two of her children having died in Ireland. The family arrived in New York city in 1852, where they at once took up their abode. The son Morris remained in his native country in order to look after the family interests and close out his father's estate. Two years later he set sail
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for New York and upon his arrival here joined the family, and one year later he took up his abode at Rossville, borough of Richmond, where he entered the employ of the Bennett family, with whom he remained for a number of years. In 1863 Mr. Nu- gent came to Egbertville, where he resided the remaining years of his life and passed away here February 19, 1894. He became a useful and highly respected citizen, and took an active inter- est in the social and public affairs of the community wherein he resided. IIe was a faithful communicant of St. Patrick's Roman Catholic Church at Richmond.
Morris Nugent was married in New York city by Rev. Father Curran in the old Duane Street Roman Catholic Church, May 26, 1862, to Bridget Finley, and of this marriage had born seven children. 1. Mary Ellen, born May 25, 1863, died in in- fancy. 2. Thomas, born June 26, 1864, died in early life. 3. William, born September 15, 1865, married Anna Westfall, and has one son, William Morris Nugent, born October 29, 1903. 4. James, born October 7, 1867. 5. Morris, born May 26, 1869, died January 20, 1904. 6. John, born April 20, 1874. 7. George, born June 20, 1876, died in infancy. The father of the afore- mentioned children died February 19, 1894.
The first member of the Finley family to come to the United States was Patrick Finley, who upon his arrival here took up his abode in Richmond county, where he found employment with the family of Dr. Clarke at Oakwood, town of Southfield, with whom he remained for about one year, during which time he carefully husbanded his earnings and succeeded in accumulat- ing sufficient funds to send to his native country for his wife and family, who at once set sail for New York city, and during their voyage the son William, born March 26, 1846, died at sea and his remains were buried at sea. The mother and two chil- dren safely landed at New York city, where they joined the
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husband and father and at once took up their abode at Egbert- ville, town of Southfield, borough of Richmond, where the parents spent the remaining years of their life. The faithful wife and mother died October 14, 1880. Patrick Finley died at Egbertville, October 7, 1890. Both parents were faithful com- municants of St. Patrick's Roman Catholic Church at Richmond.
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