USA > New York > Oswego County > Orwell > History of the town of Orwell, New York, from 1806 to 1887 > Part 4
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GREENFIELD FAMILY.
Jerome H. Greenfield was born in Saratoga county, Nov. 10, 1837. In March, 1838, he removed with his parents to Orwell. Mch. 22, 1865, he married Alvera West, daughter of David West.
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HISTORY OF ORWELL.
Children: Ephraim, Edward, Eaton, Earnest; all are living. Mr. Greenfield went to Colorado in 1860, returned in 1864, went back again the same year, and returned a second time in December. His farm is located about four and a quarter miles east of Orwell Cor- ners on the east side of the highway.
MONTAGUE FAMILY.
James D. Montague, son of Nathaniel F. Montague, was born in Orwell, N. Y., Feb. 2, 1832. He is a descendant of Peter Monta- gue, who was a native of England, and emigrated to America abont 1637. From him has sprung 5,898 Montagues. James J. is num- bered in the record, 2,980, and his father, 2,552. Nathaniel Mon- tague was a native of Cambridge, Vt., and was born April 4, 1800 He removed to Floyd, Oneida county, N. Y., where he was mar- ried about 1821. Shortly after he removed to Orwell and located on the farm now owned by H. H. Potter. He afterwards purchased the farm now occupied by his son, James J. He died Aug. 9,1859, and his wife died Dec. 20, 1882. They left six children, Sarah A., Nathan S., James J., Nathaniel A., Mary M., and Martin M .; all are living. James J. married Mary D. King, of Orwell, Feb. 1, 1862. They had two children, George A., and Diantha E. The latter was born Aug. 17, 1871, and died Mch. 17, 1872. His wife died Oct. 14, 1871. He married a second wife, Martha M. Van- nier, and had one child, Edith D. Mr. Montague's farm is located on the Orwell and Williamstown road.
LOOMIS FAMILY.
Charles G. Loomis, son of Henry and Ann Loomis, was born in Lee, Oneida county, N. Y. Mch, 12, 1845, he married Julia Shel- don, born in Adams, Berkshire county, Mass., Oct. 13, 1818. Children: George S., born Mch. 7, 1846; Clark C., born Nov. 3, 1847, died July 16, 1885; Mary, born Aug. 9, 1847, died Sept. 21, 1877. He is a farmer and is located about one mile north of Or- well corners, on the Orwell and Sandy Creek road.
ALLEN FAMILY.
Charles E. Allen was born in Orwell, Nov. 11, 1839. Is a son of Edward and Mary Allen. Edward Allen died Nov. 20, 1855 and his wife, Mary, Oct. 31, 1869. They had five children: Charles E., Orla, Albert, Wiley and Helen L. Orla died Feb. 7, 1886.
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BIOGRAPHIES.
(See military record for both Orla and Wiley.) Feb. 17, 1862, Charles married Jane, daughter of Amos Beadle. He is a farmer and located on the east side of the Orwell and Molino highway, about two miles from Orwell Corners.
BASS FAMILY.
Allen R. Bass was born in Orwell, May 5, 1840. He enlisted in Co. G., 24th Infantry, May 4, 1861. (See military record.) May 5, 1861, married Rosa, daughter of George Wagoner. Children: Anna, Alice, Betsey and Samuel, all living. Is a prosperous farmer located on the Orwell and Redfield road about two miles east of Orwell Corners. Is a member of Post S. M. Olmstead.
WEED FAMILY.
Mervin J. Weed, son of Hoyt and Prudence Weed, was born in 1866, in Orwell, where he has since resided. He was for some years employed as clerk in A. E. Olm- stead's store. Sept. 29, 1886, he married Anna, daugh- ter of Allen and Rosa Bass. His farm is located on the Orwell and Pekin road, the first one on the west side of the road, after leaving the village.
E. O. Weed, son of H. V. and Prudence Weed, was born in Orwell, Sept. 8, 1857. April 23, 1879, he mar- ried Jennie, daughter of Allen Stowell, then of Orwell. They have three children, all living: Alta J., Jessie M. and Prudence P. Mr. Weed's farm is situated on the north side of the Orwell and Redfield road, about one mile east of Orwell Corners.
DENNISTON FAMILY.
M. Jay Denniston, son of Robert and Jane Denniston, was born in Herkimer county, N. Y., December 11, '40. He removed with his parents to Orwell in 1842. He
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HISTORY OF ORWELL.
was one of seven children: Mary, Sarah Ann, Almeda, Margarette, Arvilla, M. Jay and James. The latter died when two years old. His mother died June 5, '83. Sept. 8, 1864, Jay Denniston married Almina Woolever and they had two children, who died when quite young. Sept. 20, '69, he married his second wife, Jennie Wood. Mr. Denniston is a well-to-do farmer, and is located in the extreme northern part of the town bordering on Boyl- ston. Many of the brave boys who enlisted in the old 24th regiment will remember him. (See military record.)
DAMON FAMILY.'
William S. Damon was born in Oneida, N. Y., Sept. 2, 1845. His father, George Damon, enlisted in Com. pany C., 110th Infantry, Aug. 6, 1862, and died at Baton Rouge, Oct. 28, 1863, leaving five children. William S. Damon married Emily M. Allen, of Orwell, March 11, 1865. They have nine children: William D., Ernest D., Harriet, Frederic B., Cora B., Frank, Etta L., Daniel A. and Florence, all living. (See military record for George Damon.)
THOMAS FAMILY.
George D. Thomas, son of M. P. Thomas, was born in Orwell, N. Y., Jan. 17, '45. His father, one of the early settlers, located first on the Orwell and Richland road half a mile south of Orwell Corners. He afterwards purchased the site now owned by House & Potter, open- ed a hotel and remained there a number of years. It was afterwards transferred to Harry and Orrin Beadle, who tore down the buildings and erected a large block upon the site. In 1861 this block was destroyed by fire to- gether with the tannery of Lewis & Weston, a store on the site 'of Mr. Woodbury's store and a blacksmith shop.
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BIOGRAPHIES.
M. P. Thomas had eight children, six of whom are. liv- ing. George D. Thomas was in the late war. (See military record.) Dec. 23, 1869, he married Alice Towsley. They have four children: Ada C., Foster A.,, Alice B. and Pearl A., all living. Mr. Thomas' farm is located on the Orwell and Redfield road three fourths of a mile from Orwell Corners.
MYERS FAMILY.
Charles M. Myers, son of Andrew and Emily Myers, was born in Orwell, N. Y., July 14, 1846. His parents were early settlers in the town, and located on the farm now owned by Mason Myers. Charles M., the oldest son, enlisted in Company C., 110th N. Y. Volunteers. (See military record.) June 30, 1865, he married Orissa, daughter of Asahel and Rebecca Sampson. They have one child, Clara E. Mr. Myers has always taken an interest in town affairs. Was elected constable of the town for seven terms. January, 1885, he was appointed deputy sheriff under A. N. Beadle. His farm is located on the north side of the Orwell and Redfield road, about two miles east of Orwell Corners.
Mason S. Myers, son of Joseph K. and Phoebe Myers, was born in Orwell, April 19, 1843. He was the eldest son. Enlisted in Company G.,, 24th N. Y. Volunteers, Sept. 23, 1861. (See military record.) July 4, 1867, he married Nellie M., daughter of Andrew and Charlotte Fellows. She died Feb. 13, 1869. His second wife is Lizzie, daughter of Joseph Isaac, whom he married Sept. 26, 1872. Mr. Myers is a prosperous farmer locat- ed on the south side of the Orwell and Redfield road about one-half mile east of Orwell Corners.
Henry J. Myers, son of Joseph and Phoebe Myers, was born in Orwell, Aug. 31, 1858. His father was an
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HISTORY OF ORWELL.
early settler in that town, and first located on the farm now owned by M. Weed, near Orwell Corners. He afterwards bought the farm now owned by his son, Henry J., where he has since lived. He had ten children. (See military record for George, Charles, and M. S. Myers.) July 3, '81, Henry J. married Lydia Kellogg. They have two children, Edith and Bessie B. Mr. Myers's farm is located on the Orwell and Redfield road, one mile east of Orwell village.
DAVIS FAMILY.
James F. Davis dates his paternal ancestry as far back as 1720, and on the maternal side to 1635. Jonas Davis was born in Hol- den, Mass., about 1720. He was a man of large business capacity, wealth and influence.
Jonas Davis, No. 2, son of Jonas, born about 1744, settled in Temple, Hillsboro county, N. H. Married Ruth -. His death occurred in 1815, under very peculiar circumstances, which made it a memorable event in the history of the town. Short- ly before, a neighbor was attacked by a disease which physicians concurred in pronouncing veritable yellow fever, a malady never before known in that section. At his grave, Jonas Davis spoke of the shortness of life, the certainty of death, and the necessity of being prepared for the summons under any form. "None of us knows," he said, "who may be next called. I may be the first." His words made a profound impression at the time, in- asmuch as, though he had for many years held positions of respon- sibility and trust in the town, he was never before known to make any remarks in public. Ho was then in his usual health, but two weeks from that day, he was buried, dying of the same disease. These two cases of yellow fever were the only ones ever known in that region, and the accompanying circumstances made the facts long remembered.
Children of Jonas and Ruth Davis:
I. Ruth; married Jonathan Searle.
II. Jonas; married a Cutter, and lived upon the homestead in Temple, until his death in 1879.
III. Jeremiah; married Elizabeth, daughter of Rev. Noah Miles, settled pastor of Temple. They removed to Williamstown, N. Y.,
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DAVIS FAMILY.
in 1835. He was a soldier in the war of 1812; died in 1856. Chil- dren: 1. Edward; born about 1823, lived in Duluth, Wis. 2. El- len; born about 1823, married Hayden, son of Dr. Freeman, of Williamstown. They afterward removed to bay City, Mich., where he practiced law. Bay City owes its charter to his efforts and those of his energetic wife, who, when he was prostrated by illness, carried the process to completion. 3. Eliza; born 1825, married William Harding, and afterwards James Cook. She now lives in Janesville, Wis. 4. Solomon; born about 1829, married Mary Maltby, of Pulaski, and still resides upon the farm his father occupied in Williamstown. 5. Brooks; born about 1831, died 1847. 6. Harrison; born about 1833, married Martha Taylor, of Manns- ville, N. Y., lives in Costello, Penn. 7. Sarah; born 1836, mar- ried Alfred Spaulding, of New York City. 8. Ann Jane; born 1838, married a Follingsbee, and settled in Janesville, Wis. She has four children who possess remarkable musical talents. 9. Mina; born in 1840, married Dr. Hanners, of Hoosac, Mass.
IV. Freeman; (hereafter.)
V. Calvin; resided in Temple.
VI. Nathan; never married; went to Fort Piaiu, N. Y., about the time the Erie Canal was being constructed, and was contractor for a large amount of work thereon.
He was a man of means, great enterprise and public spirit, doing much to build up the town of Fort Plain, and giving largely to all its public enterprises. He was Sunday-school superintendent there for thirty years. At his death the citizens erected a monument to his memory.
VII. Maria married James Heald, of Temple, and they had eight children, all teachers : Lavina, Angeline, James, Brooks, Sarah, Elmira and Ellen.
Freeman Davis, third son of Jonas Davis and father of James Freeman, was born June 3, 1798. He married Rebecca Heald of Temple, March 14, 1822. She died April 30, 1830, leaving three children, Sarah, James F. and Milly. (See hereafter.)
Oct. 21, 1830, Freeman Davis married his second wife, Hannah Emory, of Peterboro, Mass., born July 2, 1800, and six sons were added to the family : Nathan, born Oct. 20, 1831, married Ruth Severance; Henry born Dec. 10, 1833, married Olive Kent; Reuben, born April 16, 1835, married Charlotte Hamer; Edward, born Aug. 18, 1837, married Clarette Hadley; William H., born July 17, 1840; George, born March 11, 1843, married Ann Stowell,
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HISTORY OF ORWELL.
In 1837, Freeman Davis followed his brother Jerry to Williams- town and occupied what is now known as the "Ichabod Allen Farm." Two years later he removed to Sandy Creek and settled upon the farm now owned by his son George, who is one of the largest stock dealers in this section. He remained there till his death which occurred on Thanksgiving day, Nov. 27, 1860, aged 62 years. He was, during the greater part of his life a farmer and stock and produce dealer, as were his fathers before him and his sons after him. He possessed large business capacity, and was ac- tive, wide-awake, full of life and energy. "Come, come, boys," he used to say, "Mustn't stop to pick out slivers in haytime. Wait 'til there comes a rainy day." He was of a strongly social nature, free-hearted and public-spirited, and he was widely missed at his death.
Rebecca Heald, first wife of Freeman Davis, and mother of James F., was of English descent.
First generation: Her first recorded ancestor was John Heald, No. 1, who came from Berwick, Eng., and settled in Concord, Mass., as early as 1635; died May 24, 1662. Had eight sons: 1. John, No. 2; 2. Amos; 3. Timothy; 4. Ebenezer; 5. Samuel; 6. Ephraim; 7. Thomas; 8. Benjamin.
Second generation: John Heald, son of John, married Sarah Dean, in 1661. Had four children: 1. John, No. 3; 2. Gershom; 3. Elizabeth; 4. Sarah.
Third generation: John Heald, son of John No. 2., married Mary Chandler, in 1690; died Nov. 25, 1721. He had six sons: 1. John; 2. Timothy; 3. Josiah; 4. Samuel; 5. Amos; 6. Ephraim.
Fourth generation: Ephraim, son of John 3d, had five sons: 1. Major Ephraim; 2. Deacon Poter; 3. Joseph; 4. John; 5. Amos.
Fifth generation: Deacon Peter, son of Ephraim 1st, was born in Townsend, Mass., married Sarah -, removed to Temple, N. H., in 1758. His second wife was Rebecca Russell. He was noted as having been the father of the first male child born in Temple, as having built the first frame house in town, and as having been one of the fifty-six brave men who marched thence to Cambridge on the alarm of Apr. 19, 1775. He died, Sept. 25, 1811, leaving eight children: 1. Peter; 2. Mary, by his first wife, and by his second wife, Rebecca Russell, 1. Rebecca: 2. Simon; 3. Sarah; 4. Eu- nice; 5. James; 6. Susannah.
Sixth generation: James Heald, son of Deacon Peter Heald, born
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DAVIS FAMILY.
Nov. 28, 1777, married Sarah Walker, born Apr. 30, 1775. Hc died Sept. 27, 1813, two years after his father. Children of James and Sarah Heald: 1. Sarah, born Nov. 8, 1797, married Jeremialı Fisk, Oct., 5, 1813; resided in Temple; died Mar. 23, 1858. They had eleven children, of whom six were successful teachers. Char- lotte married Dr. Thomas Palmer, D. D. S., of Fitchburg, Mass., one of the first dental surgeons in the country, and a graduate of Baltimore Dental College. Jeremiah moved to Clinton, Mass., and is a leading dental practitioner in his vicinity. His brother, Charles, also became a dentist. Alva died at Indianapolis, Ind. He was a young man of commanding talent, and universally la- mented. Martin H. was a graduate of Dartmouth College. In 1853, he became principal of a seminary in Paris, Tenn., and in 1854, he was elected president of Paducah College, Paducah, Ky. 2. James; born Mar. 6, 1799, married Maria Davis, (See above,) died Sept. 9, 1857. 3. Lois; born Dec. 10, 1800, married David Barker, Jan. 18, 1820. 4. Rebecca; born June 15, 1802, married Freeman Davis, Mch. 14, 1822; died Apr. 30, 1830. (See
hereafter.) 5. Eli B .; born Feb. 22, 1804, married Susan Collins, Aug. 26, 1842. Children: Alva, Viola, Walter Owen, Lois, Sarah, Emily. 6. Jesse W .; born Dec. 19, 1805, married Louisa Heald. Children: Simon, Jesse, Rebecca, Emma. 7. Milly; born Jan. 12, 1808, married Clement Heald, Nov. 29, 1827. Children, Almena, Samuel, Elizabeth, Daniel, Lois, Emily, Ellen, Alfred, James, Harriett.
Seventh generation from John Heald No. 1. Children of Frce- man Davis and his first wife, Rebecca Heald : 1. Freeman; died in infancy. 2. Sarah; born Oct. 26, 1823, married Milo Harding, son of Deacon Willis Harding, of Sandy Creek, Mch. 12, 1815. He was born Nov. 25, 1824. In 1854, they removed to Martin, Alle- gan county, Mich. Milo died Jan. 14, 1865, and Sarah died July 16, 1880. Children: Ruth, born Sept. 6, 1846, married Henry Noble, of Martin, Ost. 4, 1865. They have one child, Mary. They reside on the old homestead in Martin. Martin, born Nov. 3. 1847. He married Maggie Wylie, of Martin, Oct, 8, 1879. He is now carrying on a fruit farm in Tulare county, Cal. Alice, born Dec. 29, 1858. She was a teacher until her death, Feb. 25, 1882. Arthur, married Jessie Corruthers, and is now in business in Man- istee, Mich. 3. James F .; (See hereafter.) 4. Milly; born May 5, 1827, married Israel Harding, brother of Milo, Sept. 8, 1852. In 1854, they also moved to Martin, Mich. Israel Harding died Dec.
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HISTORY OF ORWELL.
24, 1881. Children: Freeman, married Mary Angell, of Wayland, in Dec, 1881. They have two children, Hazal and Fannie Fern. Minot, who is in company with his cousin, Martin, in Tulare county, Cal. Clara, married Richard Brown, of Milwaukee. Mar- tha, died in iufancy.
Eighth generation: James Freeman Davis, the subject of our sketch, son of Freeman and Rebecca Heald Davis, was born in Temple, Hillsboro county, N. H., Sept. 5, 1825. He lost his mother four years later. The first twelve years of his life he spent upon the bleak, rocky New Hampshire farm, almost under the shadow of old Monadnoc. At that age, he came with his father's family to New York State. He was occupied with farm work until the fall of 1845, when he spent one term in Mexico Academy. The winter of '45 and '46, he taught his first term in the Tifft district, in Sandy Creek. In the spring of '46, he came to Orwell and worked the farm of Deacon Elon Stowell, for three consecutive seasons, teaching for two winters in the same district (No. 2,) and a third in the Potter district. Mch. 26, 1850, he married Amelia A., daughter of Deacon Elon Stowell, of Orwell, and thereafter he carried on the farm occupied by his father-in-law. The winter following his marriage, he taught a third term in district No. 2. He followed farming two years and in 1851, studied dental surg- ery in the office of his cousin, Jeremiah Fisk, (already mentioned), and also in the office of Dr. Palmer, D. D. S., of Baltimore Dental College, one of the earliest practitioners in the country. At this time, he learned to make artificial teeth by hand, an art which was soon superceded by the use of machinery. He settled as a prac- ticing dentist in Pulaski, N. Y. After a few years, the close con- finement of office work began to tell upon his health, and he re- turned to the farm in Orwell. Since that time, he has been an ex- tensive farmer, besides practicing his profession in that and ad- joining towns. His skill in the profession is well known, and brings him a large practice. The quality of his work justly en- titles him to rank among the first dentists of Northern New York. His farm is on the hill just south of Orwell Corners. He early identified himself with the interests of the town, was a very suc- cessful teacher, and for several years Town Superintendent of Schools. While yet a young man he was ordained deacon in the Congregational church. He was always an assiduous laborer in and for the church. Time, money and labor were freely expended when the interests of the church demanded. Sometimes for quite
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DAVIS FAMILY.
a period he sustained the weekly services, when there was no pas- tor in charge, by reading sermons, etc. When circumstances per- mitted, he was always in his place on the Sabbath and at the prayer-meetings, and has long been recognized as one of the pil- lars of the church. In the Sunday-school he has been an earnest worker, having been bible-class teacher or superintendent for many years. He was never a man of policy, but possessed strong con- victions and decided opinions. Whenever he considered a cause just, he worked with persistent energy in its behalf, and with equal force he opposed whatever he believed to be wrong. Politically he was fully in sympathy with the Republican party from its formation, and was an ardent advocate and supporter of its great principles during the stirring days of its struggle. But when the long conflict was over, and those principles firmly established, believing that the party had no longer any living issues, and that the destruction of the liquor traffic was the greatest question before the people, he identified himself with the Prohibition party at its first organiza- tion, and has ever since supported it warmly by yoice and ballot.
James and Amelia Davis have four children:
I. Clayton H. He practiced dentistry for several years with his father, and thoroughly learned the business. Oct. 1, 1885, he married Clara L., daughter of Jacob Hadley, of Sandy Creek, and an artist of considerable ability. The year following his marriage, he successfully practiced his profession in Oberlin, O. He is a legal dental practitioner in New York State, and also holds a li- cense from the Board of Censors of the Ohio State Dental Society. He is now located in Pulaski, N. Y.
II. Ellen A. She is a graduate of the Sandy Creek Union High school, class of '82, and while there, obtained the diploma granted by the New York State Board of Regents, on passing ex- aminations held tri-annually under the Regents' supervision. It is required by them to pass examination in not less than eighteen subjects. She has reached her senior year in Oberlin college, and has taught a number of terms,including three in the public schools of Oberlin.
III. Vinnie R. She holds three diplomas and a state teachers' certificate. She graduated from the Sandy Creek Union High school in the class of '83, and also obtained the regents' diploma, passing examination in thirteen subjects more than was required. Was the third in the school to acquire it. She graduated from Oberlin college in the class of '86, receiving its diploma. She
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HISTORY OF ORWELL.
holds a State Teachers' Certificate, given after the applicant has taught four terms of school and passed a rigid examination held annually, in twenty-one subjects, and which qualifies the holder to teach any common school in the State without farther examination, and is given for life. She is the first college graduate the town has produced.
IV. Freelon J. He also has taken the Sandy Creek High School course, being a member of the class of '87. Like the others, he holds the "Regents' Diploma" of New York state. He has already commenced the study of law.
AMELIA STOWELL DAVIS.
In tracing her ancestral line back into the shadowy past, we fol- low the thread from generation to generation, until, still holding it fast, we cross the ocean, and find ourselves in "Merrie England," about the year 1620. The record goes back to Sir James Whiton, a cotemporary of James I, under whose supervision our standard, or "King James version" of the bible, was prepared. The first re- corded scene in the life of this remote ancestor occurred in the Presence Chamber of Whitehall Palace, at that time the favorite resi- dence of the Kings of England, where he knelt before Queen Anne, wife of James, to receive from her hand the "sacred accolade" of knighthood, a token of the royal favor and appreciation of his faithful service and deeds of valor. The Whiton coat-of-arms is still preseryed in the family. The next important period in his life began with the opening of the Civil Wars in 1642. At that time the oppressive exactions of Charles I. had roused the land to throw off the galling yoke, and assert its constitutional rights. Like all the Puritans of those stirring days, love of civil and relig- ious liberty was the keynote of his character; and with thousands of patriots, he followed the standards of Cromwell through weary marches and bloody battles, till, at last, victory perched upon them, and the cause was won. His history at this time can be best given by quoting a portion of a letter written in 1840, by his great- great-great-granddaughter, Hannah Whiton More, afterwards a mis- sionary to Africa, to her cousin, Hannah Whiton Stowell, of Or- well. Miss More will be referred to again.
Union, Ct., Jan. 20, 1840.
But away with apologies, and let me * see if I can write anything that will interest you. I suppose you
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DAVIS FAMILY.
will think it rather derogatory for me to write, and you to pay postage on what does not contain at least 184 cents worth of use- ful and interesting matter. I trust a short sketch of the history of our ancestors will not be uninteresting to you. This history, from the maternal side, as connected with us, as far as I can trace it, seems to be implicated with that of Charles
I., King of England, who ascended the throne in 1625. Our an- cestors seem to be among the knights or great men of this time, for when Charles II. in 1660, regained the throne of his father who was beheaded, they fled to America for fear their lives would be sacrificed to avenge the death of Charles I. (It is said they came over in the same ship with Goff and Whalley, the fugitive judges.) You must expect only a cursory sketch of the subject, which will obviate all cause for the charge of regicide on the part of our an- cestors.
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