Hudson-Mohawk genealogical and family memoirs, Volume I, Part 56

Author: Reynolds, Cuyler, 1866-1934, ed
Publication date: 1911
Publisher: New York, Lewis historical publishing company
Number of Pages: 656

USA > New York > Hudson-Mohawk genealogical and family memoirs, Volume I > Part 56

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The ancestors of Henry Bailey are said to have fled from England to Holland to es- cape persecution, and early in the seventeenth century they came to America. The Dun- nings were early settlers of Fairfield, Con- necticut.

The Rath-

RATHBONE-RATHBUN

bone family

of England is

an old and honorable one. For three hun- dred years a wealthy branch has resided in the city of Liverpool. The family is of Sax- on origin in England, where they have been a distinct family for five hundred years. Transplanted to America, they have been honored citizens. The blazon of arms for the name Rathbone as given in "Burke's Gen- eral Armory" is: Argent, three doves, azure. Crest: a dove with an olive branch in the beak all proper. The arms of the Liverpool family are : Ermine, on a fess, azure, between two roses in chief gules, barbed and seeded proper, and the Roman fasces fessways in front of a lion's head proper, gorged with a collar argent, charged with two roses gules. Motto: Suaviter et fortiter-mildly but firmly. While Richard Rathbone (1574) seems to be

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HUDSON AND MOHAWK VALLEYS

the first of the line in America, his son (1610) probably coming at the same time, the real history of the family begins with John, of Block Island (1634). He is identified with the early history of that island, of which he was one of the purchasers from Massachu- setts, and one of the first sixteen settlers who landed on the island in 1662.

(I) Richard Rathbone, born about 1574, so far as the records show, was the first of this family to settle in America. He mar- ried Marion Whipple, sister of Captain John Whipple, who mentioned her in his will, made at Ipswich, Essex county, Massachusetts, De- cember 19. 1616. They had four sons, none of whom left issue (so far as learned) ex- cept John (see forward). The eldest son, Rev. William Rathbone, resided and preached in Vermont in 1630. He is spoken of in a work published in 1630 and reprinted in "His- torical Collections of Massachusetts." The sons mentioned were : William, Joseph, Thom- as and John.

(II) John (1), son of Richard and Marion (Whipple) Rathbone, was born about 1610. in England most probably. He is said to have come from England to America in the ship "Speedwell," a vessel accompanying the "Mayflower" in 1620, and to have settled in Rhode Island. (Livermore's "History of Block Island.") He married about 1633, and had a son John, perhaps others.

(III) John Rathbone (2), son of John (I), was born about 1634. He was one of those who on August 17, 1660, met at the house of John Alcock, M.D., in Roxbury, Massachusetts, to confer on the purchase of Block Island. He bought a sixteenth of the island in 1660, and settled there in 1662. His was one of the names presented to the Rhode Island general assembly in 1664, by Captain James Sand and Joseph Kent, in behalf of Block Island, for admission as freeman. In 1683 he was a representative from Block Isl- and to the Rhode Island general assembly ; June 16, 1686, he signed with others, a pe- tition to the King of Great Britain in re- gard to the writ of "Qno Warranto," ac- knowledging full and free submission and res- ignation of the powers given in the charter. and asking to be discharged from all liens and contributions which the assembly would impose upon them in sending an agent to Eng- land, to which action the petitioners were op- posed.

In 1688 he was a member of the grand jury of Rhode Island. He married Marga- ret, daughter of Tristram Dodge. Their is- sue was: Thomas, John (3), see forward ; Sarah, wife of (first), Samuel George, (sec-

ond), John Ball) ; William, Joseph and Sam- uel.

(IV) John (3), son of John (2) and Mar- garet (Dodge) Rathbone, was born in Rox- bury, Massachusetts, about 1658. He was made a freeman of Rhode Island, and the same year was appointed a deputy to the gen- eral court from New Shoreham, Block Isl- and, Rhode Island. He was deputy from 1681 to 1684, and surveyor of highways in 1686. Just before his marriage he received a deed from his father to sixty acres of land, the consideration being "One barrel of pork." From some old records we find that "Great James and his wife" (Indians) bound their daughter Betsey to John Rathbone and his wife Ann, as an indentured servant, for a term of eighteen years, the considera- tion being "one gallon of rum, one blanket in hand, and five years afterward one gallon of rum yearly thereafter, and if she remains five years the said Rathbone to pay four blankets every third year thereafter.' He testified April 28, 1717. in relation to a seizure by the pirate Paulgrove Williams, of three men who were with him in a boat on the bay at the time of the seizure. He was twice married, (first) June 20, 1680, to -, (second) November 11, 1686, to Ann Dodge. His children were: Mercy, Jona- than, John, Joshua (see forward), Benjamin, Anna, Nathaniel and Thomas.

(V) Rev. Joshua Rathbone, son of John (3) and Ann (Dodge) Rathbone, was born at Newport colony, of Rhode Island. He was twice married. He married (first ) No- vember 30, 1721, Martha Card. born April 6, 1609, daughter of Job and Martha (Acres) Card. She bore him a son Joshua. He mar- ried (second) February 17, 1724, Mary, daughter of Rev. Valentine Wightman, of Groton, Connecticut, the first Baptist minis- ter in Connecticut. By his second wife Rev. Joshua was the father of twelve children: Joshua (see forward) ; Valentine W., Mar- tha, John, Daniel, Jacob, Job, Martha, Amos, Anna, Susannah and Wait. These children were born between May 17, 1722, the birth date of Joshua, and August 18, 1744. the birthday of the youngest. John (5) became a minister of the gospel, preaching at Sara- toga, New York, at the age of ninety-five. He died from the effects of a fall. He was a patriot of the revolution, a member of the Stonington committee of correspondence and inspector, and signer of the memorial to the Connecticut Assembly, praying for cannon to protect the town of Stonington against British attack.

(VII) Joshua (2), son of Rev. Joshua (1)

Roars Rathbun

Elija Bull Rathhun

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HUDSON AND MOHAWK VALLEYS

and Martha (Cord) Rathbone, was born on Block Island, May 17, 1724, and died at Ston- ington, Connecticut. August 14, 1801. He was known as "Joshua of the wind mill", he being the owner of a grist mill run by wind power at Stonington Point. He was a good and pious man, belonging to the Society of Friends. In an old yellow-leafed Bible, in which the records of Joshua's family were kept, is the following, written in a good hand with many flourishes: "Stonington, January the 27th day, A. D., 1755. This as an ac- count of the age of my wife and children : I. Joshua Rathbone Jr., was born upon Block Island in the year of our Lord 1724." Some genealogists give his birthplace as Stoning- ton, and the year as 1722; his own written testimony ought to be conclusive. Joshua (2) married, March 4, 1742, Dorcas, born at South Kingston, September 17, 1721, died April 5, 1809, daughter of James Wells, of Hopkinton, Rhode Island. Children born of Joshua (2) and Dorcas Wells: Joshua (see forward), Martha, Dorcas Wells, Acors, Sarah, Mary, Anna.

(VII) Joshua (3), son of Joshua (2) and Dorcas (Wells) Rathbone, was born at West- erly, Rhode Island, August 11, 1743, and died November 23. 1773, at sea. He mar- ried, October 30, 1766, in Friends' meeting house, Sarah, born December 27, 1748, daugh- ter of Abraham and Martha (Bagnal) Bor- den. Their children were: Joshua, Abraham, Borden, Acors (see forward) ; and Benjamin Bagnal. Joshua's widow, Sarah, married a Quaker minister, Peter Hoxie, whose widow she was at her death, March 29, 1828.

(VIII) Acors, third of the four sons of Joshua (3) and Sarah (Borden ) Rathbone, was born in Stonington, Connecticut, January 25, 1772. It was in this generation that the spelling of the name became Rathbun. He was the founder of Rathbunville, Oneida county, New York.

He was married, February 12. 1794, to Sarah, born in South Kingston, November 28, 1777, died May 22, 1859, daughter of Wil- liam and Mercy Peckham. They removed after their marriage to Richmond, Rhode Island, and in the winter of 1802 to Verona, Oneida county, New York, making the jour- ney in an emigrant wagon. Their children were fourteen in number, born between No- vember 24, 1794, and May 4, 1820; the first six were born in Rhode Island. Among them were: Joshua: William; Sarah Ann (mar- ried James Hallock) ; Dorcas, married (first) Richard Searing, (second) Henry Thomas ; Perry ; Benjamin ; Mary Ann, married John B. Barr; Rowland and James. Acors Rath-

bone's name is incorrectly given in Oneida county, New York, histories as Achus.

(IX) Solomon, son of Acors and Sarah ( Peckham) Rathbun, was born in Rhode Is- land, June 30, 1799, and died in Springfield, Mass., November 9, 1861. He married, in New York state, Hannah, died in New York City, December 3. 1891, daughter of Daniel and Henrietta Quimby, of New York. Children : I. Acors (see forward). 2. Daniel, born June 21. 1829, died September 8, 1862; mar- ried. September 9, 1851, Duelanna Wheeler, of Rome, New York. 3. Emily, born Sep- tember 26, 1831; married John L. Kipp, of New York City. 4. Henry, born December 30, 1833, died December 24, 1852, in Verona, New York. 5. Edward, born April 14, 1838; married, September 2, 1865, Maria Warner, of Verona, New York. 6. George Jay, born September 6, 1840, died February 22, 1860. 7. Milton, born August 3. 1844 ; married, Feb- ruary 5, 1873, Harriet Lee Eales, of Belmont, New York. 8. Frank, born January 23, 1847 ; married, October 17, 1877, Charlotte N. Nims, of Troy, New York. 9. Alice Naomi, horn November 16, 1850; married Josiah Lombard, of New York City (Harlem). Solomon Rathbun was a very prominent man in Rath- bunville, Oneida county, New York, settled by his father, Acors (Achus), in 1802. The town is now Verona Mills. Solomon owned a flourishing mill, woolen factory and a store. Wells, another son of Acors, lived to be the oldest inhabitant of the town.

(X) Acors, eldest son of Solomon and Hannah (Quimby) Rathbun, was born in Rathbunville, now Verona Mills, Oneida county, New York, August 29. 1827. The town was founded by his grandfather Acors (1) Rathbun in 1802. He received a good education, and was trained to habits of in- dustry and thrift by his father, and gained in his store and other business enterprises the experience that was to make him in later years the successful business man he was. He came to Albany, where he entered the em- ploy of his uncle Joshua Rathbun, then one of the largest hardware dealers in the lum- her district of Albany. He was later ad- mitted a partner, and on the death of Joshua succeeded him in the business, remaining the active and capable head until 1900, when he retired from active effort. He was a director of the Mechanics National Bank, the Albany Savings Bank, the Mutual Fire Insurance Company, and was interested in other cor- porations and business enterprises of the city. He belonged to the Fort Orange Club, and was a warm friend of the various church and philanthropic bodies for the betterment of his

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HUDSON AND MOHAWK VALLEYS

fellows. He was a good citizen, and left the impress of his commendable character upon his associates and friends. He was presi- dent of the board of trustees of the Second Presbyterian Church of Albany, and for forty-four years worshipped with his wife at that church, occupying the same pew during that long period. His love of all things good and beautiful, his cultured mind and great desire to use his wealth fairly and justly, were prominent traits of his character. The resolutions and memorials adopted by the various boards of directors and trustees of which he was a member show that he was held in the very highest esteem as a capable man of business, a wise counselor, a faithful friend, and a courteous gentleman.

He married, August 19, 1857, Eliza C. Bur- rell, of Little Falls, Herkimer county, New York (see Burrell), who survives him, a resi- dent of Albany. They had one child, Or- menda Burrell, born July 13, 1858, died Jan- uary 21, 1901, married, June 4, 1892, in Al- bany, New York, Joseph Yates Page, son of Joseph C. Page, of Albany, and great-grand- son of Governor Yates, of New York. They located in Washington, D. C., where Mr. Page was connected with the comptroller's office under Secretary of the Treasury Eccles, later were of Seattle, Washington, then re- turned to Albany, where Mr. Page died Jan- tiary 13, 1901, followed one week later by his wife. Mrs. Page was an accomplished, cultured lady, possessed of every womanly at- tribute, and was deeply regretted. Their daughter, L. Eliza Rathbun Page, born in Seattle, Washington, March 16, 1892, is a senior of Wellesley 11all, Massachuetts (1909). She is the companion of Mrs. Acors Rathbun in her Albany home and on her tours of Europe and Alaska.

Eliza C. (Burrell) Rathbun was educated in Packer Institute, Brooklyn, New York, and Utica Female Seminary. She resided in Al- bany, New York, where they had a beautiful home on Willett street, where hospitality was unbounded. Chief executives were entertained on many occasions, and a circle of friends of kindred tastes made welcome. Always of charitable impulses, since the death of her husband, daughter, and son-in-law, Mrs. Rathbun has devoted her life to good works along philanthropic and charitable lines, not alone with her wealth, but with constant per- sonal work. Every Thursday evening she teaches a class of three hundred and fifty at the Rensselaer Mission; for seventeen years she has taught in the Sunday school, starting with four, the class now numbering seventy- five. There is no public or private charity in

the city that has not been substantially aided by her-missions, schools, hospitals, churches, none are turned away ; the need has only to be shown and the response is ready. In all this work there is one that lies nearest her heart, the Young Women's Christian Asso- ciation. In 1888 it was brought to her notice that young women temporarily in the city, and self-sustaining girls, should have a home pro- vided them where they would be sheltered and cared for under good influences, yet at a price within their means. Meeting with cor- dial sympathy and material support from her husband, she launched the Young Women's. Christian Association in two rooms, April 20, 1888. The association was incorporated in 1890 ; larger quarters very soon were needed, again and again, until now they are quartered in a building of their own at the corner of Lodge and Steuben streets, with spacious par- lors, reading rooms, restaurant, bedrooms for temporary and permanent guests, a library of 2,209 volumes, seven instructors, two secre- taries, and a corps of able helpers in every department. Classes for instruction are main- tained, each with a capable specialist to in- struct in Bible study, vocal music, domestic science, plain sewing, millinery, embroidery, and physical education. The association (1909) has six hundred members, fifty-one of whom are sustaining, three hundred and ninety-six active, and one hundred and fifty- three associate members, drawn from every church denomination. The government in- cludes the executive officers, a board of thirty managers, with an executive committee, ad- visory board, and a board of trustees. With the exception of the advisory board, these officers are all women. For twenty-three years Mrs. Rathbun has been president, and to her untiring energy and generosity success may be ascribed. In 1907 she caused to be erected, adjoining the Home, a gymnasium, in honor of her late husband's memory. This is said to be the very best equipped ladies' gymna- sium in existence anywhere. No feature of the equipment of a modern gymnasium is omitted. The association is affiliated with the National Young Women's Christian Associa- tion organizations, which assures members the added benefits of similar advantages when away from home. To the development of this and other undertakings Mrs. Rathbun de- votes her life and finds her greatest enjoy- ment. Every hour of the day is occupied, as she holds official connection with many or- ganizations. In earlier years she traveled ex- tensively, visiting every country of Europe, as well as thoroughly touring the United States, Alaska and part of South America.

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Her acquaintance with men and women of philanthropic and literary fame extends to many lands, among whom her noble philan- thropies are recognized and approved. After the death of her husband she gave up the Willett street mansion, and resides in apart- ments at 355 State street, Albany.

(The Burrell Line).

The family of Burrell settled in Herkimer county, New York, in the year 1804, when Jonathan Burrell located at what was then called "Yankee Corners," a point that was the business center of the town of Salisbury. He came with his family from Sheffield, Berkshire county, Massachusetts, and carried on various branches of business. The village became known as "Burrells Corners," and is still so called, although there is little to dis- tinguish it now from the surrounding coun- try. One of his sons, W. F. Burrell, who was born there in 1818, became the proprietor of Burrell's Mills, and was extensively engaged in the manufacture of cheese boxes, broom handles, lumber, etc. He was supervisor of the town in 1872-73. Jonathan Burrell mar- ried Lucinda Kellogg and had several chil- dren.

(II) Harry, son of Jonathan and Lucinda (Kellogg) Burrell, was born in Sheffield, Mas- sachusetts, November 28, 1797, and died at Little Falls, New York, March 5, 1879. He was part of the family who emigrated from Massachusetts to the town of Salisbury, Her- kimer county, New York, in 1804. He was engaged in farming and in business with his father until the death of the latter, when he succeeded to possession of the old homestead, known as the Hackley farm. When he was not yet of legal age his neighbors solicited him to take charge of and sell their dairy products, which were drawn to Albany on wagons and thence transported to New York City in sloops. He began the purchase of cheese and other dairy products, and from this beginning became the largest buyer and shipper in the country. As his business in- creased, lie established a house on Front street, New York City, under the firm name of H. Burrell & Company. His acquaintance with Erastus Corning and other prominent men of the day brought forth the suggestion of exporting dairy products. Mr. Burrell em- braced the idea and began the business of exporting cheese, formed strong connections with foreign houses, and was probably the first shipper of dairy products to foreign mar- kets from the United States. His domestic and foreign business was very extensive, and in the country and city demanded the constant

attention of himself and sons, who as they grew up were all taken into the business. He continued a large buyer and shipper until near the close of his long, busy, useful life of eighty-two years. He was one of the best of men, and his name was the synonym for honesty and integrity, and his bond was no better than his word. He was the adviser and friend of every man in the community, and was trusted implicitly. He was very wealthy, owning seventeen farms. Charitable and gen- erous, he was the chief pillar of the Presby- terian Church at both Salisbury and Little Falls, where he built a handsome residence and removed in 1852. He was president of the church board of trustees, and of Little Falls Academy. He died at Little Falls, and while his remains lay in the family vault, some desperate villains, hoping for a large reward, stole the body and secreted it. They were, however, run down, captured, and the body recovered. Two of the gang were sen- tenced to prison for ten years and five for seven years at hard labor.

He married Ormenda, daughter of Colonel Carr, of the war of 1812, and his wife, Han- nah Hakes, the latter bearing the title of the "smartest woman in the country." Children : I. Seymour, deceased. 2. Malvin, deceased. 3. Isaac, deceased. 4. Ilannah, wife of Stephen Millar, of Constableville, Lewis county, New York; Nancy, wife of Dr. Humphrey, a physician and missionary, whom she accompanied to India and remained for five years. The doctor was also a minister, and preached in Hindoostanee. They now live a retired life at Little Falls, New York. 5. Eliza, of further mention. 6. Harry (2). The sons were all associated in business with their father, and continued in it after his death, although not upon the same extensive scale.

(III) Eliza, sixth child of Harry and Or- menda (Carr) Burrell, was born in Herkimer county, New York, June 6, 1833. She mar- ried Acors Rathbun, and was the mother of one daughter, Ormenda (2) (see Rathbun).

LITTLE The Little family so strongly represented in the present gen- eration at Johnstown, New York, descend from Lawrence Little, a Mont- gomery county farmer, located in the town of Charleston, Montgomery county, New York.

(I) Lawrence Little died 1832; married Eliza Fellows, who died 1829. Children, born in Charleston, New York: 1. Mary, born 1819, died January 31, 1885; married Hiram Campbell, a soldier of the civil war, killed at the battle of the Wilderness. They had eight

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children: i. Eliza, married Hezekiah Carey and had four children, a. Eva, married John Lincoln and had Elizabeth and Willis ; b. Kate, married Charles Shafer and had one child, Allison ; c. Mack, married Elsie Young and had five children ; d. Albert, married Phoebe Wagner and had six children. ii. Hiram, married Jane Orr and had three children : Irving, Estelle and Vernon. iii. R. Elmira, born November 15, 1840, married, May I. 1870, Ebenezer Eckerson, born October 25, 1839, and had one child, Ford Blaine, born September 11, 1880, married, June 25, 1909, Ruth Calkin. iv. Hamilton H., married Isa- belle Warner, and had one son, Louis. v. Amanda, married John R. Van Patten and had four children: a. Milo, married Dora Ten Eyck and had Anna, married Herbert Van Wie, Cora and Otto; b. Mark, married a Miss Young and had five children ; c. Renilo, married Maurice Stanton ; d. Bessie, married Chauncy King and had Mabel and Everett. vi. Robie, married Munro Shaffer and had four children: a. John: b. Stanton, married Josie Scrum; c. George, married Lizzie Smith ; d. Durward, married Irene Scrum and had Orville, Marion, Dudley, married Fanny MacDougal, and Blanche. vii. William, mar- ried Estelle Tratts and had Harry and Nellie. viii. Elmore, married Maria Brown and had Donella, married J. Frank Martin. 2. Hiram, married Mary Jane Mickel. 3. Betsey, mar- ried Rev. Jacob Drake and had four or five children. 4. John Calvin, of whom further. 5. James, married Eliza Talmadge. 6. Nathaniel.

(II) John Calvin, son of Lawrence Little, was born in Charleston, Montgomery county, New York, December 19, 1823, died at Car- lisle, New York, August 25, 1874. He was left an orphan at five years of age and was brought up by a neighbor, Charles Gordon, and grew up to the occupation of a farmer. After his marriage he removed to Carlisle, where he engaged in farming on his own ac- count. He was a quiet, industrious, energetic man and devoted his entire life to his business and family. He was a member of the Dutch Reformed church and in politics he was a Democrat.

Ile married at Cherry Valley, New York, February 22, 1849, Elizabeth Van Valken- berg, born July 14, 1831, at Springfield, New York, died October 7, 1898, at Johnstown, daughter of Jacob and Sarah (Wood) Van Valkenberg, who were the parents of five children: 1. Elizabeth, married John Calvin Little. 2. Abbie, married Nicholas Brouthers. 3. Isaac, died in infancy. 4. Henry, married «Georgiana Platner. 5. Sarah, married Sam-

tiel Hancock. Children of John Calvin and Elizabeth Little :

1. Jacob Henry, born March 19, 1850, died January 5, 1853.

2. George Francis, born April 21, 1851; married (first ) February 24, 1875, Clarisa Shaffer, who died December 31, 1884; mar- ried (second) January 5, 1886, Anna Kiem ; children: Arthur, born December 13, 1887; Elizabeth, April 11, 1889. George Francis Little resides in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, where he is a carpenter and builder.

3. Sarah Eliza, born September 21, 1852, married, November 2, 1871, Edwin Hillsinger, a farmer of Carlisle, Schoharie county, New York ; children : i. Oliin, born April 19, 1873, married, December 31, 1904. Charles Niles, and has a son Charles (2), born February, 1907; ii. Grace, born September 19, 1875, married, October 25, 1894, Willard Kilts, and their daughter Ruth, born September 4. 1896, died January 2, 1900.

4. Naaman, born May 25, 1854; educated in the public schools, and until 1892 owned and cultivated a farm of one hundred and twenty acres at Cobleskill : in the year mentioned he removed to Johnstown, New York, where he is employed as a cutter with the Johnstown Knitting Mills Company ; he is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and an Independent in politics ; he is a member of the Dutch Reformed church and clerk of the board of trustees; he married, November 8, 1876, Sarah Elizabeth Mickel, born March 27, 1853; children: j. Bertha Elizabeth, born August 29, 1877, married, November 25, 1897, Abraham Graff; children: Edith B., born August 6, 1904: Sylvia M., horn August 16, 1907, died March 6, 1910; Esther Ruth, born October 8, 1910; ii. Martha, born Feb- ruary 13, 1880, married, February 6, 1901, Arthur Underwood, and has Arthur Francis, born September 19, 1904; Raymond, born Feb- ruary 7, 1907 ; iii. Sylvia, born May 28, 1881 : iv. Henrietta, born November 3, 1883, died February 23, 1804. Sarah Elizabeth Mickel, wife of Naaman Little, is a daughter of Henry Mickel, born May 12, 1804, died July 9. 1895; he married Henrietta Springer, born Decem- ber 18, 1809, died April 2, 1850, a daughter of Jacob and Sarah (Howe) Springer. Sarah Elizabeth was the youngest of five children.

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Hudson-Mohawk genealogical and family memoirs, Volume I, Part 56

Author: Reynolds, Cuyler, 1866-1934, ed Publication date: 1911 Publisher: New York, Lewis historical publishing company Number of Pages: 656

Author: Reynolds, Cuyler, 1866-1934, ed
Publication date: 1911
Publisher: New York, Lewis historical publishing company
Number of Pages: 656