History of Orange County, New York, with illustrations and biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 149

Author: Ruttenber, Edward Manning, 1825-1907, comp; Clark, L. H. (Lewis H.)
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Philadelphia, Everts & Peck
Number of Pages: 1336

USA > New York > Orange County > History of Orange County, New York, with illustrations and biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men > Part 149

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

David Staller, 5th ; enl. Ang. 22, 1861.

Daniel Stevens, Co. D, 124th ; enl. 1862.

Harrison Storms, Co. B, 124th ; en1. August, 1862; killed at Gettysburg. Charles Stormis, Co. E, 17th ; enl. Aug. 15, 1862.

Charles F. Santer, 56th ; enl. March 8, 1865.

A. P. Sherman, Co. D, 124th ; enl. 1862.

Timothy Shea, 15th Art. ; enl. Feb. 4, 1864.

John W. Smith, Co. B, 124th ; enl. Aug. 11, 1862.

Thurlow Weed Seward, Co. K, 44th ; enl. September, 1861. James Taylor, Co. M, 15th Art. ; enl. Jan. 26, 1864. John Thompson, corp., Co. D, 56th ; enl. Aug. 1, 1861.

Charles W. Thompson, acting surg., 56th ; enl. February, 1861. W'n. A. Trainer, Co. D, 124th.

Wm. Thorp, Co. D, 124th ; eul. Jan. 12, 1864.

604

HISTORY OF ORANGE COUNTY, NEW YORK.

Wm. H. Tomer, Co. D, 124th ; enl. Aug. 9, 1862; wounded at Chancellors- ville; disch. July, 1865.

Henry O. Tiderback, 7th Art .; enl. Jan. 11, 1864.

Joha Taylor, 124th ; enl. 1862.

Louis Towoing, enl. Aug. 17, 1804.

John A. Travis, Co. D, 124th; died in the service.

Henry S. Utter, Co. B, 124th ; enl. Sept. 3, 1864.

Wm. B. Van Houten, Co. D, 124thi ; enl. Ang. 13, 1862; pro. to sergt., 1st lient., and adjt .; disch. Jan. 21, 1865. .

James L. Van Bramer, 7th Art .; enl. Aug. 26, 1863; a prisoner at Ao- dersonville for some months; paroled ; disch. May 20, 1865.

James 11. Vail, Co. G, 166th; eul. August, 1862.

Stephen E. Valentine, Co. D), 124th; enl. Dec. 26, 1863.

John Van Houten, Co. D, 124th ; enl. Dec. 24, 1863.

James Virgil, enl. Aug. 24, 1864.

Samnel Voorhis.

John L. Weatlake, Co. C, 176th ; enl. Sept. 19, 1862.

Nicholas E. Williams, Co. F, 7th ; en). Jao. 6, 1864 ; disch. Jnoe 17, 1865.

John B. Weymer, Co. D, 124th; enl. Aug. 11, 1862; a prisoner some months; disch. June 6, 1865.

Oscar S. Weymer, Co. D, 124th ; en]. Dec. 2, 1863; wounded at Spottsyl- vnaia; disch. May 27, 1865.

Thomas Wilson, Co. 1, 26th ; eol. Dec. 19, 1863; disch. Sept. 6, 1865.

Zopber Wilaon, Co. D, 124th ; enl. Aug. 12, 1862; killed at Chancellors- ville.

Samuel M. Whedon, musician, Co. D, 124th ; enl. Aug. 12, 1862 ; disch. Jnoe 18, IS65.

James Withersnooka, 7th Art .; enl. Jan. 23, 1864.

William Wright, Co. D, 124th ; enl. 1862.

Benj. C. Wilkinson, 2d Mounted Rifles ; enl. Jan. 23, 1864.

Wm. Wright (2d), Co. D, 124th ; enl. 1862.

Israel Wood, Co. D, 124th ; enl. Sept. 3, 1864.

Joseph Wood, Co. D, 124th ; enl. 1862.

George Williams, enl. Sept. 9, 1864.

Wm. Weat, enl. Sept. 10, 1864.

John H. Williams, 104th ; enl. Sept. 15, 1864.

John Winter, 106th ; enl. Feb. 9, 1865.

Michael Welch, Co. D, 124th ; enl. 1864.

Owen Welch, enl. Oct. 31, 1863.

Martin Williams, enl. Oct. 29, 1863.

James Welch, enl. Jan. 6, 1865.

George Williams, en1. Feb. 25, 1865.

Heary W. Wade, enl. Oct. 8, 1863.

George W. Wadleigh, enl. in naval service.

John Wilson, enl. in naval service.

Joseph White, enl. in naval service.

Samuel L. Williams, enl. Aug. 22, 1861 ; disch. Sept. 5, 1865.

Francis M. Werner, Co. D, 124th ; eal. Aug. 8, 1862; disch. Jan. 12, 1863. Wm. B. Wood, Co. C, 176th ; enl. Dec. 18, 1862; disch. Feb. 15, 1864.

Joseph J. Yeomans, Co. D, 124th ; enl. 1864.

Kiddy York, eal. Sept. 15, 1804.

Alfred Yeomana, Co. B, 124th ; enl. August, 1862: died in the service. Frank Zandenbergh, eol. Aug. 19, 1864.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

EZRA SANFORD.

The progenitor of the Sanford family living in War- wick is believed to have been Thomas de Sandford, one of the companions in arms of William the Con- queror in 1066. He obtained, for meritorions con- duct, a grant of the lands in Salop County, England. The family are at present represented on English soil by Thomas Heigh Sandford, who inherited the origi- nal manor of Sandford, in Shropshire, England. The name is spelled by various branches of the family Sanford, Samford, and Sandford, though the Warwick descendants have retained the former orthography. The escutcheon of the family is a shield divided per

chevron, sable and ermine fields, with three boars' heads couped close supra ; crest, a boar's head; motto, Nec temere, nec tiunde. From the year 1066 to 1550 the chain of descent is broken. During the latter year was born Thomas Sanford, of Shropshire, Eng- land, who died leaving a son Thomas, born in 1631, who emigrated from England to Dorchester, Mass., and had six children, among whom was a son, Samuel, who removed from Dorchester to Milford, Mass. To him was born a son, Samuel, who made Newtown, Conn., his home, and was the parent of twelve children. Among his sons were Ebenezer and David, the latter of whom was born in 1711, and died in 1767. He was the earliest representative of the family in Warwick, whence he removed from New- town. David Sanford had sons,-David, John, Eph- raim, and Ezra, the latter of whom was born in War- wick in 1747, and died in 1822. He was united in marriage to Ann Hopper, and had children,-Pa- tience, Matthew, Olive, Olive (2d), Ann, Esther, Hannah, Mary, Ezra, and Dorcas. Of this number, Ezra, who is the subject of this biography, was born Nov. 11, 1793, in Warwick, where his life has been spent. His educational advantages were limited to instruction at the public school of the neighborhood, after which his early life was devoted to labor npon the farmn of his father, having during this period served in the war of 1812, for which he now draws a pension. He was married, Oct. 29, 1814, to Miss Ade- line Terry, who died Aug. 13, 1875, after a married life embracing sixty-one years. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Sanford were Uriah T., Hester Ann, George W., George W. (2d), Mary E., William M., Julia, Pierson E., Abigail, and Emily, nine of whom grew to mature years.

Mr. Sanford has been during his life a man of re- markable energy and activity. To these qualities may be added that of self-reliance and a keen intui- tion, which has enabled him to improve the oppor- tunities offered during his busy life and acquire a competence for his advancing years. He has been chiefly engaged in agricultural and milling pursuits, and rarely participated in the excitements incident to public life. In a quiet manner, and with promptness and fidelity, he has availed himself of his franchise,- the badge of American citizenship,-and has failed but once to cast his ballot since he attained his ma- jority. Mr. Sanford has been one of the directors of the Chester National Bank since its organization. He assisted in the construction of the Warwick Val- ley Railroad, and is also a director of that corpora- tion. Both Mr. and Mrs. Sanford were members of the Warwick Baptist Church, the former having contributed largely towards its construction. Mr. Sanford in his declining years is cheered by the pres- ence of both children and grandchildren, who vie with cach other in evidences of filial devotion. It is but one among the many manifestations of the har- mony which characterizes this happy family circle.

รา

TIMEI

605

WARWICK.

Benjamin Sayer

BENJAMIN SAYER.

The ancestors of Benjamin Sayer, three brothers, came from England to this country during its early settlement. Two of them located in the Eastern States and the other on Long Island. The Sears of Boston, as also the late Robert Sears, the historian, of New York, belonged to the former branch, while those in Orange County were descendants of the Long Island portion of the family. The latter variously spelled their names Sayer, Sayre, and Sayrs.

Daniel Sayer, the father of Benjamin, on removing to Warwick, located on a farm midway between that village and Bellvale. He first occupied a log house near the mountain-brook at that place, but about the time of the Revolution erected the present stone house known as the Sayer homestead. During the struggle for independence his warmest sympathies were with his country's cause, and his services were called for to help rid the neighborhood of Tories and robbers. In April, 1777, he was one of a company of scouts, commanded by Maj. Henry Wisner, who captured a party of thirteen Tories in the passes of the Monroe mountains, while on their way to New York to join the British. On another occasion he went with a com- pany of home-guards, under Lieut. James Burt, and, assisted by a company of Continental troops, they came upon a band of Tory robbers in the Warwick Mountains, shooting six of them. He was also one of those brave volunteers who guarded Ramapo Pass from the incursions of the enemy during the Revolu- tion.

There were three log houses built near by the Sayer homestead, one stronger than the others, where the women of the vicinity assembled for greater safety during the absence of the men, as in those days In- dians and marauders were often troublesome. Farther up the mountain-brook were three other families, by name Hump, Bump, and Ketcham. Three lots on one of the Sayer farms still retain these names.

Daniel Sayer married Lydia Burt, daughter of Dan- iel, and sister of Hon. James Burt. The descendants of Mrs. Daniel Burt at the time of her death, in 1810, at the age of ninety-four years, numbered no less than five hundred and twenty-four persons.

Benjamin Sayer was the youngest of nine children, four girls and five boys, composing the family of his parents, and was born April 29, 1791, in the old stone house in Warwick, where he was reared and where he died. He largely inherited his mother's temperament and character. She was said to have been a remark- able woman, of noble presence, full of energy, and unfaltering in her devotion to her family and in the performance of her varied duties. She died when Benjamin was only five years old, and he seldom men- tioned his mother without tears filling his eyes, for he felt that had she lived his youth would have been beset with fewer difficulties.

Benjamin only attended school in his early days long enough to get a knowledge of the common rudi- ments of an education, yet throughout his life he never failed to familiarize himself with the current events of the day, to the study of which he ever brought

606

HISTORY OF ORANGE COUNTY, NEW YORK.

a practical common sense. He always took a great in- terest in public affairs, both local and general, and, owing to an unusually correet judgment, seldom failed to espouse the right side on almost every question.

In the war of 1812, when volunteers were called for, he obeyed the first tap of the drum, and was the fore- most man to respond to his country's call. A few others followed his lead, but failing to secure enough to meet the required quota, were disbanded and a draft ordered. He was not among those drafted. During the late Rebellion he frequently said, if it were not for his partial lameness, he felt like shouldering his musket and marching to fight for the support of the Union, despite his years.

He was married Dec. 6, 1817, at the age of twenty- six years, to Rebecca Forshee, whose parents lived on an adjoining farm, and together they reared a family of eight children, whose names, in the order of their birth, are as follows : John L., William E., Mary E. (who married Benjamin C. Burt), Hannah (married Thomas Burt), Lydia (married John W. Hasbrouck), Ann Eliza, Daniel F., and Sarah C. (married Darius Fancher). All but Mary and Daniel are still living. Ann Eliza lived with her father at the homestead until his death, and contributes to his memory this likeness and sketch. Rebecca Forshee was a woman of rare personal beauty, virtue, and piety. She died in 1858, after a married life of over forty years.

Benjamin Sayer was remarkably successful in life, and by industry and economy, added to excellent judgment and foresight, succeeded in aeqniring a handsome competeney, yet he was charitable and hospitable in an eminent degree. His house was a great resort. where all were alike welcome; and until " tramps" became dangerous and aggressive, no one was ever turned from his door who asked for food or lodging. A bed was always set aside for the poorest, as well as accommodations for the more favored of God's children. He inherited his farm from his father, but had to pay legacies to nearly its full value to his brothers and sisters. For many years he strug- gled hard to sneeeed, and said he sometimes came near giving up and hiring out at day's work ; but pride, energy, and determination conquered, and at the time of his death he owned not only that but several other farms, together with a liberal property beside.

He never cared for or songht office, though he filled most acceptably several minor positions and trusts in his native town. Benjamin Sayer, indeed, was a man among men,-six feet tall, erect, and finely pro- portioned. Independent in thought, full of activity and energy, honest and upright in all his dealings, he won, as well as retained, the confidence and esteem of all who knew him.

ever possessed, and which, in fact, was the foundation of his after-fortune:

" When a boy ten or twelve years of age. my brother Joseph and I took a spear and went to my meadow- brook to catch a mess of suckers. It was then a noted stream for these fish. We had two dogs, and soon they left for Mr. Burt's swamp, where we heard them bark- ing, and started to see what caused it. We found they had treed some large animal, and brother sent me up the tree to punch it out with the spear. As I ap- proached it, it looked so savage I told brother I was afraid to go nearer, but he ordered me to keep my spear ahead and go on, which I did, and it jumped out of the tree and the dogs run it up another tree, and brother made me climb and punch it out again. As I climbed towards it its eyes looked like fire-balls. It again jumped out of the tree, and the dogs and brother killed it. We skinned it, and we sold the skin in Warwick for five shillings. They said it was a large wildcat, but the fur was getting poor, it was so late in the season. I got for my share two shillings and six- pence in silver. Ihave never been so rich since as I felt then. I must look at my money every day to be sure that it was there and all mine. If the chance had offered again at that time, I would have climbed almost any tree in our forest for a like prize."

The first work he ever did for wages was to hew timber for the Old-School Baptist church in Warwick, working from daylight until dark, being allowed fifty cents per day to pay his father's subscription towards the erection of the church. Before he died he said he was the last man living who had labored on the erection of the church. Mr. Sayer died Oct. 6, 1874, aged eighty-three years.

EDWARD L. WELLING.

The Welling family, as already mentioned, are of Welsh lineage, and on their arrival in America re- paired to Long Island. Among its early members was Thomas, who during the year 1770, as indicated by old deeds now in possession of the family, became a resident of Orange County, where he was the owner of an extensive and valuable tract of land. His children were Thomas, Richard, and John, and three daughters, who became respectively Mrs. Gen. John Hathorn, Mrs. John Wheeler, and Mrs. Bronson. Of these children, Thomas was born Feb. 9, 1759, and was married Feb. 28, 1782, to Miss Sibble Beardsley, to whom the following children were born : Anna, Charles, Thomas, Edward L., John, Hannah, Lois, Elizabeth, and Lois (2d).

This sketch affords a brief review of the life of Edward L., whose birth occurred April 23, 1788, at the family mansion in Warwick, where his early life was passed. After a period spent at the publie school of the neighborhood and a few years devoted to the labors of the farm, he became associated with

In a note written by him and found after his death he thus describes how he earned the first money he ' Dr. Young in commercial pursuits at Edenville. Having soon after, in connection with his brother Thomas, inherited the paternal estate, he became

Jeffery Home.

James Bust

607

WARWICK.

from that date one of the enterprising farmers of Warwick. Though eminently successful in his voca- tion, the public spirit and ambition of Mr. Welling led him to embark upon the less tranquil waters of official life. He was for successive years chosen as supervisor of the township, was for twenty-six years justice of the peace, and was in 1837 elected sheriff of Orange County, which office he filled at a subsequent date a second term.

Mr. Welling was at the time of his death president of the Chester Bank, and also a director of the Orange County Bank of Goshen. His acknowledged probity of character and excellent judgment rendered bis services as arbiter in the adjustment of estates in great demand, and led to his appointment by the Governor as commissioner for the settlement of pub- lie claims. He was also active in the military opera- tions of the State, having held a lieutenant's commis- sion in the war of 1812, and at the close of the conflict retained his rank in the standing army then main- tained by the State. Though not a member, Mr. Wel- ling was a faithful supporter of the Reformed (Dutch) Church, and a liberal contributor towards the erec- tion of the church edifice and parsonage. The death of Edward L. Welling occurred Jan. 2, 1855, in his sixty-seventh year. His public spirit and liberality caused him to be highly esteemed as a citizen, while his genial qualities of mind and heart rendered the loss a personal one to each member of his family circle.

JEFFREY WISNER.

A comprehensive sketch of the Wisner family and its earlier representatives having been given else- where in this work, renders its repetition here un- necessary. Jeffrey Wisner traces his descent from Johannes, the progenitor of the family in America, who was the father of Hendrick, whose son John was the parent of Henry, born in 1742, and mar- ried to Susanna, daughter of Richard Goldsmith. He became the father of ten children, among whom was Jeffrey, the subject of this biography. The latter was born April 20, 1779, and after limited advan- tages at the public school of the neighborhood en- gaged in farming occupations. He was united in marriage, Oct. 18, 1792, to Miss Hannah Wheeler, who was the mother of the following children : Henry, born Feb. 28, 1799; John W., born Sept. 10, 1801; Harriet (Mrs. Philander Gillett), born April 27, 1804; William H., whose birth occurred Oct. 6, 1806; and Sarah A. (Mrs. Hammond Sly), born Sept. 23, 1814. Mrs. Wisner died in 1814, and Mr. Wisner was a second time married, in 1816, to Miss Elizabeth Armstrong, whose children were Jeffrey A., born March 23, 1817; Gabriel, born Oct. 16, 1818; Rensselaer J., born March 2, 1820; James, born March 17, 1822; Richard, born Feb. 4, 1824; J. Amherst, whose birth occurred Oct. 18, 1827; Mary E. (Mrs. Wm. T. Van Deeveer), born June 3, !

1830; and Vanness, born Aug. 15, 1832. Of these children, J. Amherst resides in Brooklyn, and is engaged in mercantile interests in New York City. Rensselaer J. is a resident of Pittston, Pa., and James and Richard are among the representative citizens of Warwick, their native township. Jeffrey Wisner's death occurred April 11, 1855, while his wife Eliz- abeth survived until Dec. 23, 1868.

Mr. Wisner was a man of marked influence in the community. Endowed with an excellent understand- ing, great force of character, and remarkable energy, he exerted a salutary influence both in the home circle and in the larger sphere of public life. He represented the township as supervisor during the years 1812-13, 1819-23, and for sucessive years served as justice of the peace. Both of these respon- sible offices were filled by him with signal ability and fidelity. In his religious convictions Mr. Wisner espoused the creed of the Baptist Church, and was for many years, and at the time of his death, a member and deacon of the church, at Warwick. He lived his religion in daily life, following both the letter and spirit of the injunction, "Whatsoever ye would that men should do unto you, do ye even so unto them."

JAMES BURT.

The Burts are of English lineage, though the exact period of their emigration to the colonies cannot be determined. Daniel Burt, with his wife Hannah, be- came permanent residents of Warwick township during the year 1760. Their children were ten in number, among whom was James, who, by his mar- riage to Abigail Coe, in 1783, became the father of four sons and two daughters. He resided upon the Burt homestead, now in possession of his son James, whose birth occurred March 9, 1798, at the ancestral home, the scene of the employments of his lifetime. His early years were spent in labor upon the farm, after having acquired such advantages of education as were afforded by the district schools of the day. He resided at his father's home, assisted in tilling the soil, and eventually came into possession of the property. Mr. Burt was married, Dec. 25, 1828, to Mrs. Mary Harding, daughter of Charles Gillett. To them five children were born,-Peter, Sarah, Abigail, Thomas, and Lydia, of whom the daughters survive. The death of Mrs. Burt occurred July 16, 1865. Her exemplary life as wife and mother causes her memory to be held in profound veneration by the family. Mr. Burt, though a resident of the country and absorbed in farming pursuits, has found time to devote to public interests. He has cast his ballot with unfailing regularity since his twenty-first birth- day, with the exception of the present year. He has filled the offices of supervisor and justice of the peace, having been always a firm Whig or an active Repub lican. He has been honored for twenty-six years with the presidency of the Chester National Bank,

608

HISTORY OF ORANGE COUNTY, NEW YORK.

and has been present at all the meetings of the board of directors during that period. Ifis religious affilia- tions are with the Baptist Church, of which he is a regular supporter. Though debarred by the infirmi- ties of advancing years from active participation in the duties of life, Mr. Burt displays the same lively interest in the busy world which was peculiar to his more vigorous days, still manifesting that untiring energy which is a marked feature of his character.

GABRIEL WISNER.

About the year 1713, Johannes Wisner, with his wife and one son, emigrated from Switzerland, the land of their nativity, to the then undeveloped forests of America, and settled upon Long Island. Their children were five in number,-Hendrick, Adam, Catherine, Ann, and Mary. Hendrick, who survived until the year 1790, was united in marriage to a Miss Shaw, of New England, and became the father of three children,-Henry, John, and a daughter. Henry participated actively in the public affairs of the day, and was honored as one of the representatives in the Continental Congress. John was a commissioned officer during the French war, and also during the war of the Revolution. He was the proprietor of a tract of land embracing 2000 acres, conferred by royal patent, a portion of which is embraced in the present estate of Thomas E. Durland, formerly the Wisner homestead. John Wisner, whose death occurred in 1778, left seven children,-John, Henry, William, Asa, Anna, Charity, and Hannab. Henry, the second son, who was the grandfather of the subject of this biography, was a member of the State Legislature, representing Duchess, Orange, and Ulster Counties from 1776 to 1782. His birth occurred in 1742, and by his marriage to Miss Susanna, daughter of Richard Goldsmith, he became the parent of the following children : Richard, Susanna, Jeffrey, John, Nancy, Henry, Abigail, Mary, William aud Gabriel. Of this number, Jeffrey was born April 20, 1779, and married Hanuah Wheeler, Oct. 18, 1792, to whom were born five children,-Henry, John, Harriet, William, and Sarah A. He contracted a second marriage, Jan. 27, 1816, with Elizabeth Armstrong, who was the mother of eight children,-Jeffrey, Ga- briel, Rensselaer J., James, Richard, J. Amherst, Vanness, and Mary. The birth of Gabriel, the second son, occurred Oct. 16, 1818, at the homestead in Warwick township. His childhood was spent in attendance upon the public schools of the neighbor- hood, and a later period was passed at a school in Newton, N. J., which enabled him to acquire a more thorough knowledge of the English rudiments. He early decided to follow the vocation of his father, and in 1843 removed to a farm adjoining his home, his residence until his death, Jan. 13, 1872. On Feb. 2, 1843, Mr. Wisner was married to Miss Susan, daughter of Solomon Carpenter, of Amity, Orange

Co., N. Y. Their children are Henry C., Rensselaer J., Albert, Mary E., Snsan E., Carrie, Ida, and James H. Mr. Wisner was a firm exponent of the princi- ples of the Whig party, which had been espoused through successive generations of the family, and | which later led to his affiliation with the Republican party. Though a man of much public spirit and active in many enterprises which redounded to the welfare of the community, he was not ambitious for public honors, and found little pleasure in the excite- ment incident to official life. Botb Mr. and Mrs. Wisner were members of the Calvary Baptist Church of Warwick, and zealous in the promotion of its inter- ests. In all the relations of life Gabriel Wisner may justly be regarded as an honorable and representative citizen of his native township.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of Orange County, New York, with illustrations and biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 149

Author: Ruttenber, Edward Manning, 1825-1907, comp; Clark, L. H. (Lewis H.) Publication date: 1881 Publisher: Philadelphia, Everts & Peck Number of Pages: 1336

Author: Ruttenber, Edward Manning, 1825-1907, comp; Clark, L. H. (Lewis H.)
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Philadelphia, Everts & Peck
Number of Pages: 1336