USA > New York > Ulster County > History of Ulster County, New York, with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers. Vol. II > Part 25
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Returning to his home, in the winter of 1862, he taught school a few months at Clintondale, Ulster Co. But still long- ing for the glories of the bottle-fiekl, and nerved anew to the achievement of greater things in his eouutry's behalf. he re- enlisted in the spring of 1863, and was commissioned by Governor Horatio Seymour, on April 2, 1863, as captain of Company M, 4th New York Cavalry, with rank from Feb. 6, 1863.
From this time on the captain e :: perienced the real hard- ships and perils of a sohlier's life. Ilis regiment was seut immediately to the front, and took part, successively, in many of the most important skirmishes and battles of the war. In the midst of them all, Capt. Mann performed his duty bravely and manfully. being one of the most conspic- uous men in the regiment. In stature six feet three inches, well proportioned and mnseular, he looked and aeted the perfect soldier, and by his courteous blending of the quali- ties of a gentleman with the steru duties of an officer, avoiding meantime the vices of the eamp, he enjoyed the love and respect of all his comrades. On June 17, 1863, while engaged in a skirmish with the enemy at Middle- bars, Va., the captain headed a squadron, and rescued from the enemy the cavalry leader, Gen. Judson Kilpat- rick, who had been abandoned by the regiment which he was attempting to lead and made a prisoner. For this aet of bravery Capt. Mann received the warm commendation of his comrades and the personal thanks of Gen. Kilpat- rick. But in the performance of the act he was severely wonuded in an encounter with two cavalrymen, who cut open the entire right side of his face with a sabre-stroke, and, after he was unhorsed, shot him as he lay on the ground, the ball entering at the shoulder-blade and coming out at the breast. He was removed to the hospital at Washington, and after two weeks returned home, where he trinained until the following September. Returning to Washington he was placed in command of the dismounted camp, and in February, 1864, again joined his regiment at the front. A few months later, on Aug. 18, 1864,
while gallantly leading a charge at Cedarville, Va., he was shot through the heart and killed instantly. His body, at first buried on the field of his glory, was afterwards ex- humed by his brother, Dr. Mann, and interred in the Friends' Burial Ground, at Milton, N. Y., where a hand- some monument marks the last resting-place of one whose hervie devotion to his country's cause minst ever remain a part of her storied history.
Thus passed away, in the prime of his manhood and the pride of his strength, one who was destined, had he lived, to fill an important place in life. It adds but another chapter to the record of our country's dead. Let all brave and true hearts hope with us that
"Sweet after battle is the tired soldier's rest."
EDWARD H. AND JOIN T. KETCHAM.
The pages of history furnish many examples of those who, abandoning happy homes, loving kindred, and faithful friends, have obeyed the stern voice of duty, and, animated by patriotic devotion, have realized that it is a " sweet and becoming thing to die for one's country." To this noble list of heroes it seems but proper to add the names of Edward Halloek and John Townsend Ketcham, who sealed their patriotism with their lives in the late war, and sacri- ficed themselves that their country might live.
Edward H. was born in the town of Marlborough, Ulster Co., N. Y., on Dee. 27, 1835, and John T. at Jericho, L. I., on Jan. 12. 1833. Both were sons of David Ketcham, a native of Long Island, and who died in Marlborough on April 2, 1860, leaving behind him the record of an upright man, whose humble life and unobtrusive mien are reealled with tender regard, while he is equally re- membered for the steadfast rule of righteous dealing which made him as intexille in justice as he was quiet in mauners. Their mother was Martha Townsend, daughter of James Halloek, one of the earliest and most substantial settlers of Marlborough.
The family belonged to the society of Friends. Well educated and of refined feelings, tenderly attached to each other, devoted to their surviving parent, the brothers were fitted to adoru and gladden their home. Tilling the soil of their farm together, and daily exchanging acts of fraternal kindness, these boys were knit together in soul like David and Jonathan. Iu comfortable circumstances, they were enabled to devote due time to mental improvement, and to cultivate their individual tastes beyond the usual scope of young men in the country. They had inherited honesty, truth, and conscientiousness. They added to these virtues whatever their hours of leisure could secure in mental growth and action.
But their bucolic peace was destined to rude interruption. Not long after their father's body had been laid to rest, and the living support of a widowed mother had devolved upon thewi, the angry voice of civil war echoed through the land, threatening its institutions with destruction, and tearing asunder the loves and friendships of a century of united happiness. Moved by an earnest and patriotic devotion to the cause of liberty, and firm iu their convictions that the
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HISTORY OF ULSTER COUNTY, NEW YORK.
war was from God for the extermination of slavery, cach of the brothers wished to enlist in the army, and cach thought that the other should resuain on the farm with his mother. Their amicable dispute was gravely and privately settled between themselves by lot, and Edward Il., the eldest, entered the service of his country at Kingston on Aug. 19, 1862, being commissioned as second lieutenant of Company A, 120th Regiutent, New York State Volun- teers. And so he turned from the sweet home and the dear ones beneath its roof-tree, and parting with his de- votel mother, who, with that grandeur of patriotism that characterized the mothers of Sparta, yet with many misgiv- ings, surrendered him to God and duty, he weut forth to battle for his country's rights.
The mother and her youngest son were left to follow from afar the marches of their absent one, while the latter, brave and earnest, was doing his duty manfully. In road- ing his cheerful letters oue would think that marches and privations and perils were but episodes of a tour of pleas- ant journeying. However arduous his labors or exposed his service, Edward, the " Quaker soldier," had no com- plaints to make and no despondency to indulge in.
While the elder brother was enduring with cheerful spirit the discomforts and fatigues inseparable from military life, the younger became daily more dissatisfied with his inaction at home. The desire to join his brother, and par- ticipate in the glories and dangers of their country's service, grew upou him constantly. Affection for his mother with- held him for many months from declaring the wish of his heart ; but at length he could no longer repress his feelings, and on Feb. 6, 1863, he enlisted in New York City, and was comtuissioned second lieutenant of Company M, 4th Regiment of Cavalry, New York Volunteers.
Thus the two brothers, who became known as "the fighting Quakers," had become members of the Union army, and faithfully and conscientiously performed their duties, eliciting the warm commendation and approbation of their superior officers. At times they were throwu together in the service, while at others they were com- pelle! to follow the strict path of duty alone. On the bloody fieldl at Gettysburg they were destined to final sepa- ration. Edward was stricken in the templo on July 2. 1863, by the veerring bullet of a sharpshooter, and putting up his hand and uttering the exclamation, " Oh !" he fell on his elbow and expired. His body was found by his brother on the following morning, and was buried upon the battle-field. It was subsequently exhumed and re- interred in the Friends' burial-ground at Milton, N. Y.
After the death of his brother John T. Ketcham con- tinued in service, although every feeling of affection called him to the home where a widowed mother sat weeping for her first-born. But his brother had fallen in the defense of his country, and it was not for him to turn back from his glorious example. His time was, however, short. In an engagement with the enemy that occurred a short time after his brother's death, he was captured and carried to the rebel capital a prisoner of war, being confined in the notorious " Libby Prison." Three weeks later he suc- cumbed to an attack of fever, and died on Oct. 8, 1863. His remaius were returucd to his friends and interred iu
the Friends' burial-ground at Miltou, where all that is mortal of the two brothers now rests, and where two white monuments, side by side, have been raised in memory of a mother's gifts to her country. It is the record of these young soldiers that they performed their duty. Their fine belongs to the Republic, in whose service they died, and in whose story they will always live.
The mother of these young heroes is still residing near Milton, N. Y., at an advanced age, cherishing in her heart of hearts the memory of her soldier boys, perusing and re- perusing their letters so full of patriotism and loving devo- tion, and hoping for a bright reunion with them in the peaceful realms of the great beyond.
A letter from J. L. Doty, Chief of the Bureau of Mili- tary Record of the State of New York, bearing date Sept. 12, 1865, contains the following reference to her sons :
" It has rarely fallen to my lot to peruse letters so full of evidence of pure and patriotie motives,-so marked by eloquence and pathos. Your contribution to the service of the nation has taken from you those that would have made declining years pleasant, but it has given examples" that will live as long as history shall have a purpose."
THOMAS D. BLOOMER
is a grandson of William Bloomer, who resided at an carly day on what was known as the " dans-kamer" farm, in the township of Newburgh, Orange Co., near the present line of Ulster County. He was a blacksmith by trade, as well as a farmer, and, besides these avocations, kept a publie inn near the " Bahu of Gilead" tree, near Newburgh, during the Revolutionary war. Gen. Washington, whose headquarters were in the vicinity, was accustomed frequently to stop at the inn. William Bloomer married Rachel Cosman, and had a family of seven children,-three boys and four girls. The former were named respectively John, Jacob, and Thomas. Jacob located in Orange County, and Thomas in New York City.
John Bloomer was born on the old farm, and was raised a blacksmith and farmer. Upon attaining manhood, in connection with his son, Thomas D., he purchased the " dans-kamer" farm, and occupied it a.number of years. He subsequently removed to the " old Bloomer farm," still nearer the Ulster County line, in Newburgh, which he occu- pied until his death. He married Martha, daughter of Thomas Denton, of Newburgh (Fostertown), and had three children, viz .: William, Thomas D., and Sarah. The former located in Seneca Co., N. Y., and died there in 1841 ; Sarah became the wife of Samuel Halsey, and died about 1855. John Bloomer died on Feb. 26, 1862, aged eighty-three years, eight months, and ten days, and his wife on March 17, 1852, aged seventy-one years and twenty-four days. Both are buried iu the Marlborough cemetery.
Thomas 3). Bloomer was born on the " dans-kamer" farm, on June 16, 1805. He passed the earlier years of his life upon his father's farm:, and enjoyed the benefit of such an education as the district schools of his day afforded. At the age of sisteen he was apprenticed to Oliver Cromwell, of Canterbury, Orange Co., in the trade of tanning and
Cont Themount
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TOWN OF MARLBOROUGHI.
currying. This avocation he followed for five years, when he returned to the home-farm. This, together with his father, he subsequently purchased, and occupied for a num- ber of years. In 1839 he disposed of his interest in the
Thomas DAloomen
farm and removed to Lattingtown, in the town of Marl- borough, Ulster Co. He located upon his present farm, purchasing it of William D. Wygant. It was formerly known as the " old Latting homestead," and was purchased of the government, after confiscation, by Thomas Wygant. Here Mr. Bloomer has since resided, and now, at the ripe old age of seventy-five, is still hale and hearty, enjoying that prace and quiet repose which a life of patient industry and self-denial inevitably confers.
Mr. Bloomer has never been active in political affairs. He is a member of the Democratic party, has filled the fher of assessor of Marlborough for a number of years, and in 1856 was its supervisor. He has been actively connected with the Presbyterian Church of the village of Marlbor- "ugh for nearly half a century, and has filled the office of Her for over forty years past. lle has always been a liberal supporter of the benevolent and philanthropic enter- Į rises of his day.
On Nov. 18, 1835, Mr. Bloomer was united in marriage to Mary, daughter of Cornelius Du Bois, of Marlborough. The children of the union have been John, born March 13, 1837, who is a farmer in Marlborough ; Cornelius D., W.rn Jan. 22, 1839, who is also a farmer in the same town ; William, born July 28, 1841, who resides on the home- farin; Sarah Elizabeth, born Aug. 29, 1843, who is the willow of Charles HI. Free, killed in battle in the Shenan- bah Valley during the late war ; Selah T., born March 16, 1417, died June 27, 1873; and Mary, born Feb. 5, 1852, who is the wife of Charles A. Wolley, of Marlborough.
William Bloomer is prominently identified with the
polities of the town ; filled the office of supervisor in 1872, 1873, and 1875, and has been frequently mentioned in connection with the nomination for member of the State Legislature from his district.
BENJAMIN HARCOURT.
The Harcourt family is said to have been originally a Norman family, and under the name of " de Harcourt" to have entered England with the victorious cohorts of Wil- liam the Conqueror. Since that time the family has been an influential and prominent one in many parts of England, and is prominently represented to-day in Oxfordshire and Berkshire.
Richard Harcourt is believed to have been the first of the family to settle in this country, and first located at Oyster Bay, Long Island. About the year 1754 he re- moved to Marlborongh, Ulster Co., N. Y., where he par- chased a tract of land comprising abont one thousand acres, bying between the villages of Marlborough and Milton, and extending west to the Lattingtown road. Ilis homestead was where Jesse Lyons now resides. He was a man of influence and distinction, and in 1758 was commissioned "One of her Majesty's Justices for the Colony of New York." He occupied a prominent place in the town, and drew many of the carly deeds and papers for his section. Ilis wife was Merey batting, and his children were Na- thaniel, Hannah, Esther, Ann, John, and Mercy. His remains are interred in the burying ground at lattingtown.
Nathaniel, the eldest son of Richard, was born in Marl- borough, and by the law of primogeniture the estate of his father descended to him alone. The latter, however, he voluntarily divided with his brother John, and both re- mained in town. Nathaniel married Polly, daughter of Joseph Carpenter, one of the first settlers of the town, and had children Sarah, Mary, Deborah, Richard, Joseph, Benjamin, Nathaniel, and Merey. Mary became the wife of David Barker, of Saratoga County ; Deborah married John Pinkney, of Dutchess County ; and Merey married Cornelius Du Bois, of Marlborough. All of the sons set- tled in town and died there.
Nathaniel Harcourt, though not a publie man, wielded a wide influence in the town, and held a number of pre- cinet and town offices. He was notoriously loyal to the patriot cause during the trying days of the Revolution, and contributed liberally to the support and encouragement of the Continental any, in which, though of weak constitu- tion, he performed some active service at West Point. Ile was bitterly opposed to the Tories of his section, held no Fart nor lot with them, and was possessed of great firm- ness of character. He was strictly fair in all his dealings, honest and conscientious, and died in 1823.
Benjamin Harcourt, son of Nathaniel, was born in Marl- borough ou Nov. 3, 1788, and passed the carlier years of his life upou his father's farm. His educational advantages were sueli as the district schools of his locality afforded. Upon attaining manhood he engaged in agricultural pur- suits upon a portion of his father's home-farm. Subse- quently be purchased a farm at Lattingtown, and occupied it until his death, on Dec. 14, 1866.
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HISTORY OF ULSTER COUNTY, NEW YORK.
Mr. Harcourt, aside from his farming pursuits, was an influential man in the town and county, and engaged ex- tensively in other business enterprises. In politics he was a Demverat, and held various offices of trust and responsi- bility. He was a justice of the peace for several years, su- pervisor of the town of Marlborough in 1826, 1827, 1828, 1829, and 1831, and in November, 1831, was elected sheriff of Ulster County, serving his full term. While a member of the Board of Supervisors he purchased the ground for the county poor-house, and furnished it through- out. Hle dealt extensively in real estate, was a drover and dealer in cattle, had an interest in the transportation busi- ness on the Hudson, and passed an active, earnest, and in- dustrious life, enjoying meanwhile the respect and esteem of all with whotu he came in contact. He was one of the trustees of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Lattingtown, and a regular attendant of the Presbyterian Church of Marlborough.
When twenty-one years of age, Mr. Harcourt was united in marriage to Eleanor, daughter of Matthew Wygaut, of Marlborough, by whom he had seven children, viz. : Sarah, Deborah, Jatues Clinton, Eliza, Charles, Alathea, and Eli, all of whom are living. Sarah resides at Hampton, Orange Co .; Deborah is the wife of Alexander Young, of the same place; Eliza is the wife of Henry Griggs, of Washington- ville, N. Y .; and Alathea is the wife of William C. Young, of Marlborough.
James Clinton is a prominent resident of Marlborough, and is engaged in farming, and in the freighting business at Marlborough dock. He is a Democrat in politics, and has filled the offices of assessor, school commissioner, and town elerk, and was supervisor of the town in 1854, 1863, and 1880. llis wife was Ilelen, daughter of Abraham Wolley, of battingtown, and who died on March 8, 1859.
Charles Harcourt is a merchant in Newburgh, N. Y., aud Eli is a farmer in Marlborough. Their mother died on Feb. 18, 1862.
DANIEL TOOKER.
The Tooker family is of English origin. Charles, the great-grandfather of our subject, was born in Suffolk Co., J. I., in 1,12. In 1738 he married Hannah Smith, of Brookhaven, and resided at Iluntington, L. I., until 1764, when he located in Orange Co., N. Y. He settled at " dans-kamer point," on the Hudson, known at the pres- ent time as the Armstrong homestead, where he continued to reside, engaged in agricultural pursuits, until his death, about the year 1785. His children were Reuben, Daniel, Mary, Hannah, Ruth, and Martha.
Reuben, the oldest, wes boru at Huntington, L. I., in the year 1744, and removed to Orange Co., N. Y., with his father. On Jan. 15, 176S, he married Martha, daughter of Samuel and Charlotte Fowler, of Newburgh, and had five sons and three daughters, viz. : Charles, Samuel, Mary, Daniel, Charlotte, John, Nathaniel, and Hannah. He re- rided at " daus-kamer point" with his father until the de- cease of the latter, when he purchased the farm at Middle- hope, Orange Co., now owned by Daniel D. Barnes. Though
a farfuer, he took great interest in public affairs, and wax supervisor of the town of Newburgh for eight successive years. Hle was an earnest member of the Presbyterian Church of Marlboroagh, and one of its constituent mem. bers in 1767. He died in September, 1806.
Charles, the oldest son of Reuben, was born at " dan's- kamer point" on Jan. 15, 1771. He passed his earlier years on the paternal farm at " dans-kamer point" and Mid- dlehope. In 1793 he weut to New York City, and engaged in the freighting business between that point and Norfolk. Va. In 179S he returned to Orange Co., N. Y., and re- sumed farming. In the year 1800 he removed to Marl. borough. Ulster Co., and located where Washburn Baxter lives. Ilere he remained twelve years, in 1821 removing to the Henry Merritt place, where he died on May 6, 1859, universally respected and beloved. He married Mary, daughter of Wright Carpenter, of Marlborough, and his children were Daniel, Ilclea, and Martha A. Helen first married Harvey Deyo, of Highland, Ulster Co., in 1824, and is now the widow of Ilackaliah Purdy, residing at Hohokus, Bergen Co., N. J. Martha became the wife of the late Benjamin Poyer, of Marlborough, on Sept. 14, 1865, and resides on the Poyer homestead in that town. Mrs. Charles Tooker died in 1867, aged ninety years.
Daniel Tooker was born in Newburgh, Orange Co., Oct. 17, 1801, and was brought to the town of Marlborough by
LITTLE
DANIEL TOOKER.
his father in 1809. Ile passed his earlier years on his father's farm, and was educated in the district schools of the towu. Attaining manbood he married, in 1825, Maria, daughter of Joseph Du Bois, of Highland, Ulster Co., who was a soldier in the war of 1812, and died in service. In 1830 he located on the " Baxter farm," in Marlborough. Ilere he remained until about 1846, when he removed !! the " old John'S. Pardy place," where he died in 1:62. Mr. Tooker had soyen. children, uamely : Mary, Wallace, Charles, Helen, De Bois,, Aun, and Julia. Mary is dead ;
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TOWN OF MARLBOROUGH.
Wallace resides in California; Charles resides in Marlbor- ough, and is a fruit-fariner; Helen is the wife of William J. Purdy, Esq .; Du Bois is engaged in the mining business in Colorado; Ann is the wife of John Howell, of Hamp- tou, Orange Co .; and Julia is the wife of A. Fellows, of Denver, Col.
Mr. Tooker passed his years qquietly as a farmer, being a Democrat in politics, but taking uo active part in the strifes of public life. During a long life in Marlborough he was recognized as a substantial and useful citizen, ever ready to contribute to all objeets of an elevating and Christianizing character, and being highly respected for his integrity and uprightness.
WILLIAM J. PURDY.
The original ancestor of the Purdy family in this country was Francis Purdy, who came from Yorkshire, England, iu 1658. He had two sons, Joseph and Francis, who received commissions from the crown as surveyors. Joseph married Elizabeth Ogden, and had Samuel, John, Francis, Daniel, and Joseph. John had three sons, Elisha. Joseph, and Nathaniel. The latter was an Episcopal clergyman, and resided in the township of White Plains, Westchester Co., N. Y., about three miles from Tarrytown. Elisha, his son, married Mehitable Smith, a daughter of a Presbyterian minister, and a granddaughter of Rev. Mr. Hooker, a Congregational minister, who came over with the Puritans. Elisha moved to Middlehope, in the town of Newburgh, Orange Co., just before the Revolutionary war, but after- wards returned to Westchester County. Subsequently he located in the town of Marlborough, Ulster Co., where he died in 1S20.
John S. Purdy, son of Elisha, was born in Westchester Co., N. Y., on July 11, 1763. He married Elizabeth, daughter of Peter Jennings, and had children : Ilester, boru June 17, 1787, who became the wife of Deunis H. Doyle, aud who is now an aged resident of Marlborough ; Peter, boru Jan. 19, 1789, and who was a sea-faring man, and died at sea ; Elisha, boru May 3, 1791, who commeneed and closed his life in Marlborough ; Sarah, bern April 17, 1793, who married John Millard, and lives at New Ham- burgh, Dutchess Co .; Lydia, born Dec. 15, 1795, who married William Smith, of the town of Newburgh ; Hacha- liah, boru Nov. 22, 1797, who married Cornelia, daughter of Charles Millard, of Marlborough, and who passed his life in town ; Eliza D., born July 1, 1799, who married Leonard S. Carpenter, of Marlborough ; Martha, born April 3, 1301, and who is the wife of Richard R. Fowler, of Holly, N. Y .; Maria, born March 5, 1803, who became the wife of Josiah Carpenter, of Marlborough; Deonis D., born Den. 4, 1805, who married Caroline, daughter of Michael Wygant, of Marlborough, and who resides in town; and William J., born Oct. 16, 1809, and who was drowued in the Hudson River when a young man. John S. Purdy died in Marlborough on Sept. 23, 1856.
William J. Purdy is the only child of Dennis D. and Caroline (Wygant) Purily, and was born in Marlborough on Aug. 1, 1831. His earlier years were passed upon his father's farm, when he also enjoyed the benefits of such an
education as the district schools of his day afforded. At the age of twenty-three he went West on a prospecting tour, but returned after two years to his native town. After one year he received his present farm, by deed, of his father,
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